Mesalamine Side Effects

Possible side effects of mesalamine are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects if they are severe or persistent.

• Joint pain, muscle pain, back pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Burping
• Gas
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, congestion
• Itching
• Hair loss

Mesalamine can also cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop:

• Signs of an allergic reaction (skin rash, hives, itching, blistering or peeling skin)
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Blisters or sores in the mouth
• Fever and flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and swollen glands
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Black or tarry stools
• Blood in vomit or coffee grounds vomit
• Swelling in any body part
• Back pain or flank (side) pain
• Pain or difficulty with urination, blood in urine, red or pink colored urine
• Extreme fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Severe stomach pain in the right upper abdomen
• Light or pale stools

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of mesalamine. Contact your healthcare provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Mesalamine (Lialda) Overdose: In case of an overdose of mesalamine, call your doctor immediately. You can also call your local poison control center, provincial poison control center, or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 or emergency services if a person has collapsed, stopped breathing, had a seizure, or is not responding. Symptoms of an overdose may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, confusion, fast and shallow breathing, ringing in the ears, and convulsions.

Source: FDA