mesalamine

Mesalamine is a small molecule anti-inflammatory drug primarily used to treat and prevent flare-ups of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease. It is the active moiety of sulfasalazine and balsalazide. Mesalamine acts locally in the colon to reduce inflammation by modulating cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase pathways—decreasing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis—and may also act as a PPAR-γ agonist. The exact mechanism is not fully understood but it does not suppress the immune system. Mesalamine can be administered orally (as delayed-release or extended-release tablets/capsules) or rectally (as suppositories or enemas). It was first approved in the US in 1987 for rectal formulations and in 1992 for oral use[1][2][5][7][8].

Brand names

AprisoAsacolAsacol HDCanasaDelzicolFivasaLialdaSalofalkPentasaRowasaOctasaSfrowasa

Other names

mesalazine