Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be improved by treatment with mesalamine. Uses of the medication include the treatment of ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis, ulcerative proctosigmoiditis, and distal ulcerative colitis. By inhibiting the action of certain chemicals in the colon, inflammation and other symptoms are diminished. "Off-label" mesalamine uses can include the treatment of Crohn's disease, another inflammatory bowel condition.
Mesalamine Uses: An Overview
Mesalamine is a prescription medication that is used to treat
ulcerative colitis. It is part of a group of medications known as aminosalicylates.
Mesalamine tablets and capsules are approved to treat ulcerative colitis. Mesalamine suppositories are approved to treat ulcerative proctitis (ulcerative colitis that affects only the rectum). Mesalamine enemas are approved to treat:
- Ulcerative proctitis
- Ulcerative proctosigmoiditis (which affects the rectum and the sigmoid colon, the very end of the colon)
- Distal ulcerative colitis (which affects the rectum, sigmoid colon, and the descending colon).