[12] Common side-effects include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and fever.

[1][14][15][16] In 2021, it was the 239th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.

[1] In 2022 Germany introduced guidance to use mesalamine to treat acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

[7] Very rarely, use of mesalazine has been associated with an exacerbation of the symptoms of colitis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme.

[7] There is no data on use in pregnant women, but the drug does cross the placenta and is excreted in breast milk.

[20] It is also the active component of the prodrug balsalazide along with the inert carrier molecule 4-aminobenzoyl-beta-alanine.