Mesalamine 800 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Ulcerative colitis – treating a flare of bloody diarrhoea and keeping the disease in remission; Mild to moderate Crohn's disease affecting the colon, in some patients.
Listed MRPs range from ₹12.84 to ₹24.27 per tablet across 4 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesalo 800 | Cipla Ltd | 10 | ₹128.44 | ₹12.84 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mesalov 800 | Care Formulation Labs Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹129.38 | ₹12.94 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mesahenz 800 | La Renon Healthcare Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹190.31 | ₹19.03 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mesacol 800 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 15 | ₹364.00 | ₹24.27 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Ulcerative colitis – treating a flare of bloody diarrhoea and keeping the disease in remission.
- Mild to moderate Crohn's disease affecting the colon, in some patients.
- Long-term maintenance to reduce the number of flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease.
How to take it
Take the delayed-release (DR) tablets exactly as your gastroenterologist prescribes – usually once a day with food for maintenance, or in divided doses during a flare. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not crush, split or chew because the coating is designed to release the medicine in the colon. Drink plenty of fluids. Keep taking it even when you feel well; stopping early is the commonest reason for a relapse. Your doctor will check kidney function and blood counts from time to time.
Side effects
Common
- Headache.
- Nausea, stomach pain, wind, heartburn.
- Diarrhoea (which can be hard to tell from the colitis itself).
- Joint or back pain.
- Reddish-brown colour of urine (harmless).
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe stomach cramps with bloody diarrhoea, fever or rash soon after starting – may be an intolerance reaction; stop and see your doctor.
- Chest pain, breathlessness or palpitations (rare inflammation of the heart lining).
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (liver problem).
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, sore throat or persistent fever (blood or kidney problems) – needs urgent blood tests.
Safety information
Alcohol
There is no direct interaction, but alcohol can worsen gut symptoms in colitis. Keep it moderate.
Pregnancy
Mesalamine is often continued in pregnancy and breastfeeding because an untreated flare is riskier than the medicine. Tell your doctor; do not stop on your own.
Kidney problems
Mesalamine can rarely affect the kidneys. Tell your doctor about any kidney disease; kidney function is usually tested before and during treatment.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease; dose adjustment or monitoring may be needed.
Children
Used in children with ulcerative colitis only under a paediatric gastroenterologist, with weight-based dosing.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due, then skip it. Do not double up.
Interactions
- Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (also used in colitis) – higher chance of low blood counts; regular blood tests are needed.
- Painkillers like ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin – added strain on the kidneys; use paracetamol instead where possible.
- Antacids and acid-reducers (ranitidine, pantoprazole) – can affect how the coated tablet releases; keep a gap and ask your doctor.
- Iron tablets – may reduce absorption; separate the doses.
- Warfarin – effect may change; INR should be checked.
Frequently asked questions
Mesacol 800 before or after food?
Take Mesacol 800 DR with or just after food, at the same time each day, unless your doctor says otherwise. Swallow it whole – crushing or chewing destroys the coating that carries the medicine to the colon.
How long do I need to take Mesacol 800?
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition and mesalamine is usually continued for years to prevent flares. Stopping when you feel well is the commonest reason for relapse, so only stop on your doctor's advice.
Mesacol 800 vs Mesacol 400 – what is the difference?
Both contain mesalamine; 800 mg simply means fewer tablets per day for the same total dose. Your gastroenterologist decides the daily dose based on how severe your disease is.
Can I take Mesacol 800 with alcohol?
There is no direct drug interaction, but alcohol can irritate the gut and trigger colitis symptoms. Keep it occasional and small.
Is mesalamine safe in pregnancy?
Mesalamine is generally considered safe and is usually continued in pregnancy, because a colitis flare is more harmful to mother and baby than the medicine. Discuss with your doctor before planning a pregnancy.
Why is my urine reddish after Mesacol?
Mesalamine and its breakdown products can give urine a reddish-brown tinge, which is harmless. See a doctor if urine is dark with yellow eyes or if you pass very little urine, which can signal liver or kidney problems.
Does Mesacol 800 need a prescription?
Yes, it is a Schedule H medicine in India and must be prescribed by a doctor, usually a gastroenterologist who will also arrange periodic blood and kidney tests.
What if my diarrhoea gets worse on mesalamine?
A small number of people are intolerant to mesalamine and get worse cramps, bloody diarrhoea, fever or rash within the first weeks. Stop the tablet and contact your doctor urgently rather than waiting it out.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Mesalamine (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Mesalazine (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms