Mesalamine

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** An agent derived from sulfasalazine, an antiinflammatory agent. Mesalamine may reduce inflammation through inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin production. Following rectal or oral administration, only a small amount of mesalamine is absorbed; the remainder, acting topically, reduces bowel inflammation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and stomach pain. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 5-ASA - 5-Amino-2-hydroxybenzoic Acid - 5-Aminosalicylic Acid - Apriso - Asacol - Lialda - MESALAMINE - Mesalazine - Pentasa - Rowasa