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Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:
Mesalamine may be confused with mecamylamine
Asacol® may be confused with Ansaid®, Os-Cal®
Lialda™ may be confused with Aldara™
Pronunciation
(me SAL a meen)
U.S. Brand Names
Index Terms
Generic Available
Yes: Rectal suspension
Canadian Brand Names
Pharmacologic Category
Pharmacologic Category Synonyms
Use: Labeled Indications
Oral: Treatment and maintenance of remission of mildly- to moderately-active ulcerative colitis
Rectal: Treatment of active mild-to-moderate distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis, or proctitis
Pregnancy Risk Factor
B
Pregnancy Considerations
Animal studies have not demonstrated teratogenicity or fertility impairment. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Mesalamine is known to cross the placenta.
Lactation
Enters breast milk/use caution
Breast-Feeding Considerations
Adverse effects (diarrhea) in a nursing infant have been reported while the mother received rectal administration of mesalamine within 12 hours after the first dose. The AAP recommends to monitor the infant stool for consistency and to use with caution. Low concentrations of the parent drug and higher concentrations of the N-acetyl metabolite of the parent drug have been detected in human breast milk.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to mesalamine, salicylates, or any component of the formulation
Warnings/Precautions
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Abdominal complaints: Pancreatitis should be considered in patients with new abdominal complaints.
• Cardiac effects: Pericarditis or myocarditis have been reported with use and should be considered in patients with chest pain. Use with caution in patients predisposed to these conditions.
• Colitis: Symptomatic worsening of colitis/IBD may occur following initiation of therapy.
• Intolerance syndrome: May cause an acute intolerance syndrome (cramping, acute abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea; sometimes fever, headache, rash); discontinue if this occurs.
• Oligospermia: In males, oligospermia (rare) has been reported.
• Sulfasalazine hypersensitivity: Patients with hypersensitivity to sulfasalazine may react to mesalamine; although usually well-tolerated in this population, use with caution.
Disease-related concerns:
• Hepatic impairment: Use caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction.
• Peptic ulcer: Use with caution in patients with active peptic ulcers.
• Pyloric stenosis: Patients with pyloric stenosis may have prolonged gastric retention of tablets, delaying the release of mesalamine in the colon.
• Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment or a history of renal disease. Renal disease (including minimal change nephropathy, acute/chronic interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure) has been reported; use caution with other medications converted to mesalamine. An evaluation of renal function is recommended prior to initiation of mesalamine products and periodically during treatment.
Special populations:
• Elderly: Use with caution in the elderly; postmarketing reports suggest an increased incidence of blood dyscrasias in patients >65 years of age. In addition, elderly may have difficulty administering and retaining rectal suppositories or may have decreased renal function.
• Pediatrics: Safety and efficacy have not been established in children.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Canasa® suppositories: Contain saturated vegetable fatty acid esters (contraindicated in patients with allergy to these components).
• Rowasa® enema: Contains potassium metabisulfite; may cause severe hypersensitivity reactions (ie, anaphylaxis) in patients with sulfite allergies.
Adverse Reactions
Adverse effects vary depending upon dosage form. Effects as reported with tablets, unless otherwise noted:
>10%:
Central nervous system: Headache (2% to 35% [capsule 2%; enema 7%; suppository 14%]), pain (14%)
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain (3% to 18% [capsule 1%; enema 8%; suppository 5%]), eructation (16%), nausea (13% [capsule 3%; enema 6%; suppository 3%])
Respiratory: Pharyngitis (11%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Chest pain (3%), peripheral edema (3%)
Central nervous system: Chills (3%), dizziness (8% [enema 2%; suppository 3%]), fever (6% [capsule 1%; enema 3%; suppository 1%]), insomnia (2%), malaise (2% [enema 3%])
Dermatologic: Rash (6% [capsule 1%; enema 3%; suppository 1%]), pruritus (1% to 3%), acne (2% [suppository 1%]), alopecia (1%)
Gastrointestinal: Colitis exacerbation (3% [suppository 1%]), constipation (5%), dyspepsia (6%), flatulence (2% to 4% [enema 6%; suppository 5%]), hemorrhoids (enema 1%), rectal pain (enema 1%; suppository 2%), vomiting (5% [capsule 1%])
Hepatic: ALT increased (1%)
Local: Pain on insertion of enema tip (enema 1%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Back pain (7% [enema 1%]), arthralgia (5%), hypertonia (5%), myalgia (3%), arthritis (2%), leg/joint pain (enema 2%)
Ocular: Conjunctivitis (2%)
Respiratory: Cough increased (2%)
Miscellaneous: Diaphoresis (3%), flu-like syndrome (3% [enema 5%]), intolerance syndrome (3%)
Postmarketing and/or case reports: Abdominal distention, agranulocytosis, albuminuria, alkaline phosphatase increased, amenorrhea, anxiety, anemia, angioedema, anorexia, aplastic anemia, asthma exacerbation, bilirubin increased, bloody diarrhea, bronchitis, BUN increased, cholestatic jaundice, cholecystitis, cramping, depression, diarrhea, disorientation, drug fever, dysphagia, dyspnea, dysuria, ear pain, edema, emotional lability, eosinophilia, eosinophilic pneumonia, epididymitis, erythema nodosum, eye pain, facial edema, fatigue, fecal incontinence, fibrosing alveolitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, GGT increased, gout, granulocytopenia, Guillain-Barré syndrome, hematuria, hepatic failure, hepatic necrosis, hepatitis, hepatocellular damage, hepatotoxicity, hyperesthesia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, hyper-/hypotension, indigestion, infertility, interstitial nephritis, interstitial pneumonia, jaundice, Kawasaki-like syndrome, LDH increased, leukopenia, libido decreased, lichen planus, lupus-like syndrome, lymphadenopathy, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, migraine, minimal change nephrotic syndrome, myocarditis, neck pain, nephropathy, nephrotoxicity, neutropenia, oligospermia, oral moniliases, oral ulcers, palpitation, pancreatitis, pancytopenia, paresthesia, perforated peptic ulcer, pericarditis, peripheral neuropathy, pharyngolaryngeal pain, photosensitivity, pleuritis, pneumonitis, prurigo, psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, rectal hemorrhage, rectal polyp, renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis, rhinitis, serum creatinine increased, somnolence, stomatitis, stool abnormalities, systemic lupus erythematosus, tachycardia, taste perversion, tenesmus, thrombocythemia, thrombocytopenia, tinnitus, transaminase increase, transverse myelitis, tremor, T-wave abnormalities, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urticaria, vasodilation, vertigo, vision abnormalities, weakness, xerostomia
Drug Interactions
Cardiac Glycosides: 5-ASA Derivatives may decrease the absorption of Cardiac Glycosides. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Thiopurine Analogs: 5-ASA Derivatives may decrease the metabolism of Thiopurine Analogs. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Varicella Virus-Containing Vaccines: 5-ASA Derivatives may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Varicella Virus-Containing Vaccines. The primary concern is the potential development of Reye 's Syndrome, a condition that has been associated with the use of salicylates in children with varicella infections. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Storage
Capsule: Store at controlled room temperature of 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from light.
Enema: Store at controlled room temperature. Use promptly once foil wrap is removed. Contents may darken with time (do not use if dark brown).
Suppository: Store below 25°C (below 77°F). May store under refrigeration; do not freeze. Protect from direct heat, light, and humidity.
Tablet: Store at controlled room temperature:
Asacol®: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
Lialda™: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
Mezavant®: 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
Mechanism of Action
Mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) is the active component of sulfasalazine; the specific mechanism of action of mesalamine is unknown; however, it is thought that it modulates local chemical mediators of the inflammatory response, especially leukotrienes, and is also postulated to be a free radical scavenger or an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF); action appears topical rather than systemic
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Absorption: Rectal: Variable and dependent upon retention time, underlying GI disease, and colonic pH; Oral: Tablet: ~21% to 28%, Capsule: ~20% to 30%
Distribution: ~18 L
Protein binding: 43%
Metabolism: Hepatic and via GI tract to N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid
Half-life elimination: 5-ASA: 0.5-1.5 hours; acetyl-5-ASA: 2-15 hours
Time to peak, serum:
Capsule: Pentasa®: 3 hours
Rectal: 4-7 hours
Tablet: Asacol®: 4-12 hours; Lialda™: 9-12 hours; Mezavant®: 8 hours
Excretion: Urine (primarily as metabolites, <8% as unchanged drug); feces (<2%)
Dosage
Adults:
Oral:
Treatment of ulcerative colitis (usual course of therapy is 3-8 weeks):
Capsule: 1 g 4 times/day
Tablet: Initial:
Asacol®: 800 mg 3 times/day for 6 weeks
Lialda™, Mezavant®: 2.4-4.8 g once daily for up to 8 weeks
Maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis:
Capsule: 1 g 4 times/day
Tablet (Asacol®): 1.6 g/day in divided doses; Note: Lialda™ and Mezavant® tablets are approved for treatment only.
Rectal:
Retention enema: 60 mL (4 g) at bedtime, retained overnight, approximately 8 hours
Rectal suppository (Canasa®): Insert one 1000 mg suppository in rectum daily at bedtime
Note: Suppositories should be retained for at least 1-3 hours to achieve maximum benefit.
Note: Some patients may require rectal and oral therapy concurrently.
Elderly: See adult dosing; use with caution
Administration: Oral
Swallow capsules or tablets whole, do not chew or crush. Do not break outer coating of Asacol®, Lialda™, or Mezavant® tablets. Lialda™ and Mezavant® should be taken once daily with a meal.
Administration: Other
Rectal enema: Shake bottle well. Retain enemas for 8 hours or as long as practical.
Suppository: Remove foil wrapper; avoid excessive handling. Should be retained for at least 1-3 hours to achieve maximum benefit.
Monitoring Parameters
CBC and renal function, particularly in elderly patients
Dietary Considerations
Canasa® rectal suppository contains saturated vegetable fatty acid esters.
Patient Education
Do not take any new medication during therapy unless approved by prescriber. Take as directed. You may experience headache; gastrointestinal upset; back, joint, or muscle pain; flu-like syndrome; or cough. Report severe abdominal pain, unresolved diarrhea, jaundice, severe headache, any unusual pain (back, joint, muscle, swelling of extremities, or chest pain), other persistent adverse effects, or lack of improvement.
Oral: Do not chew or break tablets or capsules. Notify prescriber if whole or partial tablets are repeatedly found in stool; should be taken with a meal.
Enema: Shake well before using; retain for 8 hours or as long as possible. May cause staining of clothing and undergarments. Do not use if solution is dark brown.
Suppository: Store below 25° C (77° F). May store in refrigerator; do not freeze. After removing foil wrapper, insert high in rectum without excessive handling (warmth will melt suppository). Lubricating gel may be used if needed to assist insertion. Retain suppositories for at least 1-3 hours to achieve maximum benefit. May cause staining of clothing and undergarments.
Breast-feeding precaution: Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.
Geriatric Considerations
Use with caution. Elderly may have difficulty administering and retaining rectal suppositories. Given renal function decline with aging, monitor serum creatinine often during therapy.
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Key adverse event(s) related to dental treatment: Pharyngitis.
Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions
No information available to require special precautions
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Malaise is common
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
None reported
Nursing: Physical Assessment/Monitoring
Assess history of allergy to salicylates prior to beginning treatment. Use caution in presence of impaired hepatic or renal function and in predisposition to pericarditis or myocarditis. Assess results of laboratory tests, therapeutic effectiveness, and adverse reactions (chest pain, CNS effects, gastrointestinal upset, exacerbation of colitis) on a regular basis throughout therapy. Teach patient proper use (according to formulation), possible side effects/appropriate interventions (eg, importance of adequate hydration), and adverse symptoms to report.
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [CAN] = Canadian brand name
Capsule, controlled release:
Pentasa®: 250 mg, 500 mg
Suppository, rectal:
Canasa®: 1000 mg [contains saturated vegetable fatty acid esters]
Suspension, rectal: 4 g/60 mL (7s, 28s) [contains potassium metabisulfite and sodium benzoate]
Rowasa®: 4 g/60 mL (7s, 28s) [contains potassium metabisulfite and sodium benzoate]
Tablet, delayed release [enteric coated]:
Asacol®: 400 mg
Lialda™: 1.2 g
Tablet, delayed and extended release:
Mezavant® [CAN]: 1.2 g [not available in U.S.]
Pricing: U.S. (www.drugstore.com)
Capsule, controlled release (Pentasa)
250 mg (240): $211.46
500 mg (30): $55.99
Enema (Mesalamine)
4 g (420): $90.01
Enema (Rowasa)
4 g (420): $180.01
Suppository (Canasa)
1000 mg (30): $326.96
Tablet, EC (Asacol)
400 mg (30): $49.67
Tablet, EC (Lialda)
1.2 g (120): $557.24
References
Grand RJ, Ramakrishna J, and Calenda KA, “Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Pediatric Patient,” Gastroenterol Clin North Am, 1995, 24(3):613-32.
Kamm MA, Sandborn WJ, Gassull M, et al, “Once-Daily, High-Concentration MMX Mesalamine in Active Ulcerative Colitis,” Gastroenterology, 2007, 132(1):66-75.
International Brand Names
Lexi-Comp.com
Last full review/revision August 2008
Content last modified August 2008
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