How does Mesacol work:

Mesacol belongs to a class of medications called anti-inflammatory agents. It is used to treat ulcerative colitis, a condition in which part or all of the lining of the colon is swollen or worn away.

Mesacol works by stopping the body from producing a certain substance that may cause pain or inflammation.

Dosage & Administration:

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Take Mesacol exactly as directed.

Mesacol is usually taken 3 times a day, and the controlled-release capsule is usually taken 4 times a day. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Be careful not to break the protective coating on the tablets.

If you are unable to swallow the capsules, you may mix the contents of the capsules with water. Open a capsule and sprinkle all of the beads it contains in a small glass of water. Stir the beads into the water and drink the mixture right away. Do not store mixtures of beads and water for later use.

Do not stop taking or using Mesacol without talking to your physician. Continue to take or use Mesacol until you finish your prescription, even if you feel better at the beginning of your treatment.

Side Effects:

• rectal pain
• irritation
• burning
• soreness
• headache
• fatigue
• weakness
• feeling of illness or discomfort
• dizziness
• leg or joint pain
• back pain
• chest pain
• gas
• nausea
• constipation
• hair loss
• sensitivity reaction
• diarrhea or bloody diarrhea
• rectal bleeding
• fever
• itching
• rash

Precautions:

Tell your physician if you have kidney disease or if you ever had a bad reaction to sulfasalazine, aspirin, or sulfite preservatives.

Before you use Mesacol, tell your physician what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially digoxin, sulfasalazine, ibuprofen, and arthritis medication.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their physicians before using Mesacol. It is not known if the drug passes from a mother to her unborn or breast-fed baby.