Pentasa® 500 mg Tablets for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s

What Pentasa® Is and How It Works

Pentasa is a mesalamine (mesalazine) medicine used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. It helps induce and maintain remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, and is also used in some patients with Crohn’s disease affecting the small bowel or colon. Many patients take Pentasa 500mg tablets in divided daily doses for ongoing control.

Mesalamine acts mainly in the intestinal lining. It reduces inflammation by limiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and by modulating cytokines and free radicals. The controlled-release formulation delivers the drug throughout the small bowel and colon so more medicine reaches inflamed areas.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and licensed pharmacists review all prescriptions before dispensing. Patients looking to manage Pentasa cost without insurance often compare Canadian prices to lower monthly spending while staying on therapy.

We source through licensed, vetted international partner pharmacies to supply authentic brands, offer a broad selection, and keep pricing affordable.

Dosage and Usage

• Usual adult dosing for ulcerative colitis induction: up to 4 g daily (for example, 1 g four times daily or 2 g twice daily, using 500 mg tablets). The exact regimen is individualized by the prescriber.
• Maintenance therapy: often 1.5–2 g daily in divided doses to reduce relapse risk.
• Crohn’s disease: some patients use 3–4 g daily based on location and severity; clinical benefit varies by disease pattern.
• Administration: swallow tablets whole with water. Do not crush, split, or chew. May be taken with or without food.
• Hydration: maintain adequate fluid intake while on mesalamine.
• Missed dose: take the next scheduled dose when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double.
• Duration: continue as prescribed even when symptoms improve, unless the prescriber changes the plan.
• Monitoring: periodic renal function tests are commonly recommended. Report signs of hypersensitivity such as rash, fever, chest pain, or worsening diarrhea.

• Store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); brief excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable.
• Keep tablets in the original container with the lid tightly closed. Protect from moisture.
• Do not store in a bathroom or near heat sources. Avoid freezing and excessive humidity.
• For travel, carry tablets in a hand-luggage organizer. Keep the prescription label with your name on the container.
• If crossing time zones, keep the same total daily dose spacing. Pack extra doses in case of delays.

Benefits and Savings

Pentasa reduces rectal bleeding, stool frequency, and urgency, and supports mucosal healing over time. It acts locally in the gut with low systemic absorption, which helps limit systemic side effects. Controlled-release 500 mg tablets offer flexible dosing for induction and maintenance, and can be combined with rectal mesalamine for distal disease. Many patients use Pentasa for ulcerative colitis or as part of a plan for colonic Crohn’s disease.

Ordering from Canada can lower the pentasa 500mg price compared with typical US retail. You may see 60–80% savings versus common US prices, especially on multi-month supplies. Patients paying without insurance often find the per-month cost more manageable at Canadian pricing. Reorder reminders can help maintain continuity of care and avoid lapses.

For extra value, see current pentasa coupons and seasonal promotions.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, fatigue, or rash.
• Less common: dyspepsia, fever, arthralgia, dizziness, pruritus, or alopecia.
• Rectal use (if combined with suppositories/enemas): local discomfort or urgency.

Serious but rare reactions include kidney problems (interstitial nephritis), pancreatitis, hepatitis, blood disorders, myocarditis or pericarditis, and severe hypersensitivity. Stop therapy and seek urgent care if chest pain, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, dark urine, unusual bleeding, or persistent fever occurs. Contraindications include known salicylate sensitivity and severe renal impairment. Use caution with liver disease, history of myocarditis, or concomitant nephrotoxic drugs.

Onset Time

Symptom improvement may begin within 1–2 weeks of regular dosing, but response varies by disease severity and extent. Greater gains in stool frequency, bleeding, and urgency often appear by weeks 2–4. Mucosal healing is gradual and may require 4–8 weeks or longer. Maintenance therapy aims to keep remission stable and prevent flares over months and years.

Compare With Alternatives

Other oral mesalamine brands or formulations can be considered. Salofalk® uses a different release mechanism; some patients respond better to one release profile over another depending on disease location. Dosing frequencies also differ by brand and formulation.

Rectal mesalamine can be added for proctitis or left-sided colitis. Pentasa® Suppositories target the rectum and may complement oral therapy to speed symptom relief and improve distal healing.

When inflammation is more active, budesonide or systemic corticosteroids may be used short term, with mesalamine continued for maintenance. Immunomodulators or biologics are options for moderate to severe disease or frequent relapses despite optimized 5‑ASA therapy.

Combination Therapy

• Oral plus rectal mesalamine for distal disease to enhance local control.
• Short courses of budesonide or systemic steroids during flares, then taper while continuing mesalamine.
• Thiopurines or biologics in moderate to severe cases; mesalamine may be continued for mucosal support.
• Folate and vitamin D optimization may be discussed in broader IBD care.
• Always coordinate combinations and dose changes under clinician guidance.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Candidates include adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, and select patients with Crohn’s disease affecting the ileum and colon. Those with severe renal impairment, salicylate allergy, or previous mesalamine-induced myocarditis generally should avoid mesalamine. Caution is advised with chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and concurrent nephrotoxic medicines. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding plans with the treating clinician.

Tablets are swallowed whole and do not require refrigeration. Daily routines that pair dosing with morning and evening habits can improve adherence. People with mainly rectal symptoms may benefit from a combined plan that includes oral tablets and a rectal dosage form.

To manage monthly spend, consider a 2–3 month supply when appropriate, as multi-pack pricing can reduce the per-month outlay compared with single bottles. Watch for periodic pentasa discount events. The cost of pentasa without insurance may be lower through Canadian pharmacies than local US cash prices, especially at higher strengths or larger quantities.

Availability varies by market; a generic for pentasa 500mg may be offered as mesalamine 500 mg tablets from approved manufacturers. Check current pentasa generic options and pentasa 500mg price on the product page before placing an order.

Authoritative Sources

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Pentasa (mesalamine)

U.S. FDA Prescribing Information for PENTASA (mesalamine)

Order Pentasa® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express delivery.

This content is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional.