Generic name:mesalamine (rectal route) [ me-SAL-a-meen ]
Drug class:5-aminosalicylates
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 14, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Canasa
- Rowasa
- sfRowasa
In Canada
- Mesasal
- Pentasa
- Salofalk
Available Dosage Forms:
- Suppository
- Enema
Therapeutic Class: Gastrointestinal Agent
Chemical Class: Salicylate, Non-Aspirin
Uses for Canasa
Mesalamine is used to treat an inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis. Mesalamine suppositories are used to treat mild to moderate active ulcerative proctitis (inflammation of the rectum). Mesalamineenema is used to treat active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, proctitis or proctosigmoiditis (inflammation of the rectum and bowel). It works inside the intestines (bowels) to reduce the inflammation and other symptoms of the disease.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using Canasa
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mesalamine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mesalamine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have blood problems (eg, agranulocytosis, neutropenia...
