Also indexed as: Asacol, Mesalazine, Pentasa, Rowasa
Mesalamine is used to treat mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis and to prevent recurrence.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Psyllium
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Herbs
Psyllium (Plantago ovata)
Taking 20 grams of psyllium seeds together with mesalamine for 12 months was more effective at
maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis than taking either the drug or herb
alone.1 People taking mesalamine should consult with their healthcare practitioner
to determine whether they should add psyllium seeds to their treat regimen.
References:1. Fernandez-Banares F, Hinojosa J, Sanchez-Lombrana JL, et al.
Randomized clinical trial of Plantago ovata seeds (dietary fiber) as compared with
mesalamine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. Spanish Group for the Study of
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU). Am J Gastroenterol
1999;94:427–33.