Mesalamine Er
Mesalamine ER 0.375GM
What is Mesalamine Er?
Mesalamine ER (extended-release) is an anti-inflammatory drug used primarily to treat ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It works by releasing the active ingredient mesalamine directly into the colon, where it reduces inflammation by inhibiting the production of certain chemicals in the bowel. This formulation is designed to ensure a sustained release of medication, optimizing therapeutic effects and minimizing side effects.
Side Effects
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
- Chest pain, trouble breathing
Warnings
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, skin problems (including atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema), or a history of stomach problems (including blockage, pyloric stenosis). Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine.
- This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney problems, including kidney stonesMesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndromeHeart problems, including myocarditis, pericarditisLiver problemsSerious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
- Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The Apriso® extended-release capsules contain aspartame, which may cause unwanted effects in patients with this condition.
- This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
- Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Prescription savings · · · ·
What is Mesalamine Er ?
Mesalamine ER (extended-release) is an anti-inflammatory drug used primarily to treat ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It works by releasing the active ingredient mesalamine directly into the colon, where it reduces inflammation by inhibiting the production of certain chemicals in the bowel. This formulation is designed to ensure a sustained release of medication, optimizing therapeutic effects and minimizing side effects.
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
- Chest pain, trouble breathing
- Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes
- Bloody diarrhea, severe cramping, stomach pain, headache
- Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
- Fever, chills, cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, body aches
- Change in how much or how often you urinate, difficult or painful urination, lower back or side pain
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, skin problems (including atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema), or a history of stomach problems (including blockage, pyloric stenosis). Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine.
- This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney problems, including kidney stonesMesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndromeHeart problems, including myocarditis, pericarditisLiver problemsSerious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
- Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The Apriso® extended-release capsules contain aspartame, which may cause unwanted effects in patients with this condition.
- This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
- Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
- Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Mesalamine Er Coupons & Prices
Mesalamine ER 0.375GM
Weight-loss medication, prescribed online
Licensed U.S. providers · No insurance needed · Shipped to your door
Looking for a mesalamine ER coupon? Mesalamine extended-release is the generic form of brand-name capsules like Apriso, used to keep ulcerative colitis in remission. Because it is available as a generic, cash prices are often much lower than the brand, but they still vary widely from one pharmacy to another. Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find a low price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price on mesalamine ER.
What is mesalamine ER and how does it work?
Mesalamine extended-release (ER) is an aminosalicylate, also called a 5-ASA drug. It is a locally acting anti-inflammatory medicine for inflammatory bowel disease. Instead of working throughout the whole body, it releases mesalamine along the lining of the intestine to calm inflammation where it is needed. Extended-release mesalamine is sold under brand names including Apriso and Pentasa, and these are approved for different roles. Apriso is FDA-approved to help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis in adults and is taken as 0.375 g capsules once daily. Pentasa is FDA-approved to induce remission and to treat mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Generic mesalamine ER 0.375 g is AB-rated to Apriso, meaning it is considered therapeutically equivalent to that brand.
Mesalamine more broadly is used to treat mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis and to help keep it in remission. It is also sometimes used off-label for Crohn's disease, though the evidence supporting its use in Crohn's is weaker. Your doctor decides which form and dose fits your situation.
Mesalamine ER cost and savings without insurance
Mesalamine ER is available as a generic, which usually means a lower cash price than the brand. Even so, the price for the same prescription can differ a lot depending on which pharmacy you use, so comparing before you fill is worth the effort. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and shows you a free coupon you can bring to the counter, whether or not you have insurance. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price on mesalamine ER near you.
The maker of brand-name Apriso also offers a manufacturer savings card through its official website, aprisorx.com. Eligibility and terms vary and these offers are generally for the brand rather than the generic, so check the manufacturer's site for current details. For many people, comparing generic cash prices with an Rx.com coupon is the simpler path.
Related drugs and alternatives
Mesalamine ER is one of several 5-ASA options for ulcerative colitis. If you want to compare the brand versions or other aminosalicylates, you can look at the extended-release brands Apriso and Pentasa, the delayed-release options Lialda and Delzicol, and the related drugs sulfasalazine and balsalazide.
These medicines differ in how and where they release in the gut, how often they are taken, and their cost. The right choice depends on your diagnosis and how you respond, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before switching. You can use Rx.com to compare prices on each of them.
Safety and side effects
Mesalamine ER has no boxed warning, but there are important things to know. The most important risk is to the kidneys: cases of interstitial nephritis and kidney failure have been reported, so your doctor should check your kidney function before you start and from time to time during treatment. A reaction called acute intolerance syndrome can also occur, with symptoms such as cramping, sudden abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache, and rash. Because these can look like a flare of ulcerative colitis, tell your doctor right away if they happen, as the medicine may need to be stopped.
Other cautions include hypersensitivity reactions (including in people sensitive to sulfasalazine or other salicylates), liver problems in those with pre-existing liver disease, photosensitivity, blood-count changes in older adults, and mesalamine-containing kidney stones. Drinking enough fluids helps lower the stone risk. Use extra caution if you have a condition that slows stomach emptying. This is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your own health before starting, stopping, or changing this medicine.
This Mesalamine Er information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Verify the official label: Mesalamine Er on DailyMed (FDA)
Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026
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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.