{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"mesalazine","kind":"medication","name":"mesalazine","aliases":["mesalamine","Pentasa","Salofalk"],"brands_sg":["Pentasa","Salofalk","Asacol","Mezavant XL"],"class":"aminosalicylate","tags":["digestive"],"use_for":"ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease, as prescribed","use_after":"healthhub: some forms before food, some regardless","use_duration":null,"take_with":"water · slow-release forms are swallowed whole, not crushed","pros":["healthhub: oral and rectal forms are both available","sg label: dosing is individual, up to 4 g a day","healthhub: a missed dose is taken when remembered"],"cons":["healthhub: stomach upset, nausea, diarrhoea, headache","healthhub: can affect the blood in the first months","healthhub: liver and kidney effects need blood checks"],"dose_note":"the singapore label for pentasa prolonged release tablets states, for ulcerative colitis, 'Adults: Individual dosage, up to 4 g daily in divided doses' for active disease and 'usually 2 g daily in divided doses' for maintenance; for crohn's disease it gives 'Adults: Individual dosage, up to 4g daily in divided doses'. children 6 years and older are dosed by weight on the same label. the label also states 'PENTASA tablets must not be chewed' and that they may be dispersed in cold water. other mesalazine forms registered here (granules, enema, suppository, mezavant xl) carry their own labels; the doctor sets the form and dose.","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"prescription-only","cautions":["allergy to mesalazine or to salicylates — contraindicated (sg label)","severe liver or kidney impairment — contraindicated (sg label)","a history of liver or kidney disease (healthhub)","pregnancy, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding (healthhub)"],"clashes":[{"src":["hh_mes_precautions"],"note":"healthhub asks that these be declared; no specific interacting drug is named on the sg pages read","with":"other medicines, supplements and herbal remedies"}],"sources":[{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg open dataset, cached in full and filtered locally)","quote":"All 14 registered mesalazine products carry Forensicclassification 'Prescription Only' — SIN14479P PENTASA PROLONGED RELEASE TABLETS 1G · SIN09340P SALOFALK 500 TABLET 500 mg · SIN14275P Asacol Tablet 800mg · SIN14999P MEZAVANT XL · SIN10918P SALOFALK ENEMAS","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_pentasa_ind","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin14479p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — PENTASA PROLONGED RELEASE TABLETS 1G [SIN14479P], therapeutic indications","quote":"Treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_pentasa_dose","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin14479p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — PENTASA PROLONGED RELEASE TABLETS 1G [SIN14479P], posology","quote":"Ulcerative colitis Treatment of active disease: Adults: Individual dosage, up to 4 g daily in divided doses … Maintenance treatment: Adults: Individual dosage, usually 2 g daily in divided doses","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_pentasa_admin","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin14479p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — PENTASA PROLONGED RELEASE TABLETS 1G [SIN14479P], method of administration","quote":"PENTASA® tablets must not be chewed. To facilitate swallowing, the tablets may be dispersed in 50 ml of cold water. Stir and drink immediately.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_pentasa_contra","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin14479p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — PENTASA PROLONGED RELEASE TABLETS 1G [SIN14479P], contraindications","quote":"Hypersensitivity to mesalazine, any of the excipients, or salicylates. Severe liver or renal impairment.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_uses","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub (National Medication Information workgroup, SG) — Mesalazine: what is this medication for","quote":"This medication is used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_howto","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub — Mesalazine: how should I take or use this medication","quote":"Some preparations taken by mouth should be taken before food while others can be taken irrespective of food … Some modified or slow release or enteric coated preparations taken by mouth should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_forms","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub — Mesalazine: forms of this medication","quote":"This medication may be administered by mouth (e.g. as tablets or granules) or rectally (e.g. as an enema or suppository).","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_missed","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub — Mesalazine: what should I do if I forget a dose","quote":"If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember … skip the missed dose and go back to your normal administration time","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_side","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub — Mesalazine: common side effects","quote":"Common side effects of this medication include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, muscle pain, reduced appetite and a cough.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_rare","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub — Mesalazine: rare but serious side effects","quote":"This medication may affect the blood particularly in the first few months of treatment … This medication may affect the liver … This medication may affect the kidney … unexplained bleeding, bruising, sore throat, fever or malaise","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_mes_precautions","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/mesalazine","label":"HealthHub — Mesalazine: what precautions should I take","quote":"You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding … You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies … You have a history of liver or kidney disease.","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:24.715168+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}