{"id":54542,"date":"2022-10-19T14:02:14","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T18:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54542"},"modified":"2026-03-23T20:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T00:10:08","slug":"pentasa-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pentasa-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentasa alternatives: What can I take instead of pentasa?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare pentasa alternatives<\/a>\u00a0| <\/span>Canasa<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Rowasa<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Colazal<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>Azulfidine<\/span><\/a> |\u00a0Uceris<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pentasa<\/span> (<\/span>mesalamine<\/span> extended-release<\/span>) is a prescription medication used to treat <\/span>ulcerative colitis<\/span>, a type of <\/span>inflammatory bowel disease<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>IBD<\/span>). <\/span>Ulcerative colitis<\/span> is a chronic disease of the large <\/span>intestine<\/span>, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers. <\/span>Pentasa<\/span> belongs to a group of medications called <\/span>5-aminosalicylic acid<\/span> (5-ASA) derivatives\/<\/span>aminosalicylates<\/span> and works as an anti-inflammatory to lower inflammation of the colon and allow for tissues to heal. Typically, <\/span>Pentasa<\/span> is used for mildly to moderately <\/span>active ulcerative colitis<\/span>. <\/span>Pentasa<\/span> is a <\/span>brand name<\/span> dosage form of <\/span>mesalamine<\/span> and is available as <\/span>extended-release<\/span> capsules. These capsules can be swallowed whole, or alternatively, the capsules may be opened and sprinkled onto applesauce or yogurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Pentasa<\/b> coupons<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

While an effective treatment option for some people, <\/span>Pentasa<\/span> may not be the best and safest option for all people treating <\/span>ulcerative colitis<\/span>. <\/span>Mesalamine<\/span><\/a> is available in a variety of dosage forms including oral options of <\/span>delayed-release<\/span> capsules, <\/span>extended-release<\/span> capsules, and <\/span>delayed-release<\/span> tablets. The <\/span>rectal<\/span> formulations<\/span> include <\/span>enemas<\/span> and <\/span>suppositories<\/span>. Typically, <\/span>rectal<\/span> formulations<\/span> are preferred for people with <\/span>mild to moderate ulcerative colitis<\/span> in the <\/span>rectum<\/span> or lower parts of the colon. Treatment options depend on where the disease is located in the colon (for example, <\/span>suppositories<\/span> are effective only for disease limited to the <\/span>rectum<\/span>). People with an allergy to salicylates or <\/span>aminosalicylates<\/span> should not use <\/span>Pentasa<\/span> or other forms of <\/span>mesalamine<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Ulcerative colitis<\/b> vs. <\/b>Crohn\u2019s disease<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of <\/span>Pentasa<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are other options available to treat <\/span>mild to moderate ulcerative colitis<\/span> that do not improve with <\/span>Pentasa<\/span>. These alternative prescription medications include other types of <\/span>mesalamine<\/span>, other <\/span>aminosalicylates<\/span>, <\/span>corticosteroids<\/span><\/a>, immunomodulators, targeted synthetic small molecules, and <\/span>biologics<\/span>. Exposure in the body to <\/span>5-aminosalicylic acid<\/span> (5-ASA) is similar for all oral <\/span>mesalamine<\/span> preparations, so switching between oral <\/span>mesalamine<\/span> products may not have a significant impact on treatment. Therapeutic efficacy and safety are also similar with different 5-ASA <\/span>formulations<\/span>. Choosing an alternative treatment may depend on the location of the disease in the colon, the severity of the disease, and the ability or willingness to use <\/span>rectal<\/span> products. These alternative options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different uses, <\/span>side effect<\/span> profiles, and dosages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Pentasa alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pentasa<\/p>\n

(mesalamine extended-release capsule)<\/td>\n

Mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis<\/td>\nTake 1,000 mg by mouth four times a day for 8 weeks<\/td>\nPentasa coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apriso (mesalamine extended-release capsule)<\/td>\nMaintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis<\/td>\nTake 1.5 grams by mouth once daily in the morning<\/td>\nApriso coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asacol HD (mesalamine delayed-release tablet)<\/td>\nModerately active ulcerative colitis<\/td>\nTake 1,600 mg by mouth three times daily for 6 weeks<\/td>\nAsacol HD coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Azulfidine<\/p>\n

(sulfasalazine)<\/td>\n

-Treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, and as adjunctive therapy in severe ulcerative colitis<\/p>\n

-Prolongation of the remission period between acute attacks of ulcerative colitis<\/td>\n

Take 500 mg by mouth every 6 hours<\/td>\nAzulfidine coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Canasa (mesalamine rectal suppository)<\/td>\nMildly to moderately active ulcerative proctitis<\/td>\nInsert 1,000 mg rectally at bedtime for 3 to 6 weeks<\/td>\nCanasa coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colazal<\/p>\n

(balsalazide)<\/td>\n

Mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis<\/td>\nTake 2.25 grams by mouth three times daily for 8 to 12 weeks<\/td>\nColazal coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delzicol (mesalamine delayed-release capsule)<\/td>\n-Treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis<\/p>\n

-Maintenance of ulcerative colitis<\/td>\n

Treatment dose:<\/p>\n

Take 800 mg by mouth three times daily for 6 weeks<\/p>\n

Maintenance dose:<\/p>\n

Take 1,600 mg per day by mouth divided two to four times daily<\/td>\n

Delzicol coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lialda (mesalamine delayed-release tablet)<\/td>\nTreatment and maintenance of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis<\/td>\nTreatment dose:<\/p>\n

Take 2.4 to 4.8 grams by mouth once daily for 8 weeks<\/p>\n

Maintenance dose:<\/p>\n

Take 2.4 grams by mouth once daily<\/td>\n

Lialda coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rowasa (mesalamine rectal enema)<\/td>\nMildly to moderately active distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis or proctitis<\/td>\nInsert 4 grams rectally at bedtime for 3 to 6 weeks<\/td>\nRowasa coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uceris (budesonide rectal foam)<\/td>\nMildly to moderately active distal ulcerative colitis<\/td>\nInsert 1 applicatorful rectally twice daily for 2 weeks, then 1 applicatorful rectally at bedtime for 4 weeks<\/td>\nUceris coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to <\/span>Pentasa<\/span><\/h3>\n

For people seeking other <\/span>prescription drug<\/span> options to treat <\/span>ulcerative colitis<\/span>, there are a variety of oral, <\/span>rectal<\/span>, and injectable options.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aminosalicylates<\/span> (5-ASA)<\/span><\/p>\n