DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Mesalamine Suppositories (me-SAL-a-meen)
Brand Name: Canasa

Mesalamine Suppositories is used for:

Treating various forms of mild to moderate inflammation of the colon.

Mesalamine Suppositories is a 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). It works by preventing the production of substances that cause the inflammation of the colon.

Do NOT use Mesalamine Suppositories if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Mesalamine Suppositories, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen), or salicylates (eg, aspirin)
• you are younger than 18 years of age and you have the flu or chicken pox
• you are taking probenecid or sulfinpyrazone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Mesalamine Suppositories:

Some medical conditions may interact with Mesalamine Suppositories. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have had a stroke, bleeding in the brain, or an aneurysm
• if you have Kawasaki syndrome, the flu, chicken pox, or a rheumatic (inflammatory) disease (eg, osteoarthritis)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Mesalamine Suppositories. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide) because they may decrease Mesalamine Suppositories's effectiveness
• Gingko biloba extract because side effects, such as increased bleeding, may occur
• Insulin, meglitinide antidiabetics (eg, repaglinide), sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or valproic acid because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Mesalamine Suppositories
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), probenecid, or sulfinpyrazone because their effectiveness may be decreased by Mesalamine Suppositories

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Mesalamine Suppositories may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Mesalamine Suppositories:

Use Mesalamine Suppositories as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Wash your hands before and after using Mesalamine Suppositories. If the suppository is too soft to use, put it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. You may also run cold water over it. Remove the wrapper. Moisten the suppository with cool water. Lie down on your side. Insert the pointed end of the suppository into the rectum. Use your finger to push it in completely.
• Do not handle the suppository too much. This will cause the suppository to melt before it can be inserted.
• For best results, keep the suppository inserted for at least 1 to 3 hours.
• Use Mesalamine Suppositories for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Mesalamine Suppositories, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Mesalamine Suppositories.

Important safety information:

• Mesalamine Suppositories may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Mesalamine Suppositories with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Mesalamine Suppositories may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Mesalamine Suppositories. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Some of these products contain sulfites. Sulfites may cause an allergic reaction in some patients (eg, asthma patients). If you have ever had an allergic reaction to sulfites, ask your pharmacist if your product has sulfites in it.
• Mesalamine Suppositories should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Mesalamine Suppositories while you are pregnant. Mesalamine Suppositories is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Mesalamine Suppositories, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Mesalamine Suppositories:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; gas; hair loss; headache; mild abdominal discomfort or pain; nausea; stomach pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or coffee ground-like vomit; bloody stools; chest pain; fever, chills, or sore throat; severe headache; sudden or severe stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; dehydration; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fever; headache; quick and short breathing; ringing in the ears; sweating; vomiting.

Proper storage of Mesalamine Suppositories:

Store Mesalamine Suppositories at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Mesalamine Suppositories out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Mesalamine Suppositories, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Mesalamine Suppositories is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Mesalamine Suppositories. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.