Generic name: mesalamine (oral) [ me-SAL-a-meen ]
Drug class: 5-aminosalicylates
What is Lialda?
Lialda affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.
Lialda is used to treat mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis in adults and children who weight at least 24kg.
Lialda is also used in adults as a maintenance treatment to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.
Warnings
Stop using Lialda and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody diarrhea (may occur with fever, headache, and skin rash).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Lialda if you are allergic to mesalamine, aspirin, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doans Pills, Dolobid, Kaopectate, Nuprin Backache, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).
To make sure Lialda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a kidney stone or kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- a blockage in your stomach or intestines (such as pyloric stenosis); or
- a skin condition such as eczema.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether mesalamine will harm an unborn baby. However, having untreated or uncontrolled ulcerative colitis during pregnancy may cause complications such as low birth weight or premature birth. The benefit of treating ulcerative colitis may outweigh any risks to the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Lialda. Ask your doctor about any risk. If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice diarrhea in the nursing baby.
How should I take Lialda?
Take Lialda exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Lialda.
Lialda should be taken with a meal.
Drink plenty of liquids to help prevent kidney stones.
Swallow the Lialda tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet.
Call your doctor if your ulcerative colitis symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Lialda.
You may need frequent blood tests to check your blood cells or kidney function.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose of Lialda for Ulcerative Colitis — Active:
1200 mg tablets: 2.4 to 4.8 g (two to four tablets) orally once a day with food.
Usual Adult Dose of Lialda for Ulcerative Colitis — Maintenance:
1200 mg tablets: 2.4 g (two tablets) orally once a day with food.
Usual Pediatric Dose of Lialda for Ulcerative Colitis — Active:
Patient weight – 24 kg to 35 kg: from week 0 to week 8, two 1.2 g tablets once daily. After week 8, one 1.2 g tablet once daily.
Greater than 35 kg to 50 kg: from week 0 to week 8, three 1.2 g tablets once daily. After week 8, two 1.2 g tablets once daily.
Greater than 50 kg: from week 0 to week 8, four 1.2 g tablets once daily. After week 8, two 1.2 g tablets once daily.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .
What should I avoid while taking Lialda?
If you have a skin condition such as eczema, mesalamine could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Lialda side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lialda: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Lialda and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody diarrhea;
- fever, headache, general ill feeling;
- rash, itching, eye redness;
- bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
- low white blood cell counts – fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, feeling light-headed, trouble breathing;
- signs of a kidney stone – severe pain in your side and back, frequent need to urinate, foul-smelling urine, dark or cloudy urine;
- kidney problems – increased or decreased urination, swelling, weight gain; or
- liver problems – loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Low white blood cell counts may be more likely in older adults.
Common Lialda side effects may include:
- burping, constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas;
- dizziness;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
- back pain;
- headache;
- rash; or
- abnormal liver function tests.
