Canasa Pac rectal

Generic name: Mesalamine (rectal)
Drug class: 5-aminosalicylates

Usage of Canasa Pac rectal

Canasa Pac is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis in adults.

Canasa Pac may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Canasa Pac rectal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Canasa Pac may cause serious side effects. Stop using Canasa Pac and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, cramping, bloody diarrhea;
  • fever, headache, general ill feeling;
  • rash, itching, eye redness;
  • low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, feeling light-headed, trouble breathing;
  • signs of a kidney stone--severe pain in your side and back, frequent need to urinate, foul-smelling urine, dark or cloudy urine; or
  • kidney problems--increased or decreased urination, swelling, weight gain.

    • Low white blood cell counts may be more likely in older adults.

    Common side effects of Canasa Pac may include:

  • fever;
  • dizziness;
  • rectal pain, colitis;
  • rash; or
  • acne.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Canasa Pac rectal

    You should not use Canasa Pac if you are allergic to Canasa Pac, aspirin, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doans Pills, Dolobid, Kaopectate, Nuprin Backache, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

    Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • a skin condition such as eczema;
  • a kidney stone or kidney disease;
  • asthma or sulfite allergy; or
  • liver disease.

    • If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice diarrhea in the nursing baby.

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    How to use Canasa Pac rectal

    Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

    Do not take a rectal suppository or enema by mouth. Use it only in your rectum.

    For best results, use Canasa Pac at bedtime. Try to empty your bowel and bladder before using rectal medicine. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine.

    Wash your hands before and after using rectal medicine.

    Remove the wrapper before inserting the suppository. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt. Lie on your back with your knees up toward your chest. Gently insert the suppository into your rectum about 1 inch, pointed tip first.

    Stay lying down for a few minutes while the suppository melts. You should feel little or no discomfort. Avoid using the bathroom for 1 to 3 hours or longer, if possible.

    Shake the rectal enema liquid well just before each use.

    Drink plenty of liquids while you are using Canasa Pac.

    To use the enema, lie on your left side with your left leg extended and your right leg slightly bent. Remove the cap from the applicator tip and gently insert the tip into your rectum. Slowly squeeze the bottle to empty the contents into the rectum.

    After using the enema, lie down on your left side for at least 30 minutes to allow the liquid to distribute throughout your intestines. Avoid using the bathroom, and hold in the enema at least 8 hours, or all night, if possible.

    Drink plenty of water each day.

    It may take up to 3 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

    You may need frequent blood tests to check your blood cells or kidney function.

    This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Canasa Pac.

    Store at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat.

    The enema liquid may darken in color after it has been removed from the foil pouch. This should not affect the medicine. However, throw away any enema liquid that has turned dark brown.

    Warnings

    Call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, and bloody diarrhea (may occur with fever, headache, and skin rash).

    What other drugs will affect Canasa Pac rectal

    Canasa Pac can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

    Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • azathioprine or 6-Mercaptopurine; or

    • This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Canasa Pac, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

    Popular FAQ

    Research studies looking at patients who received daily oral doses of 4 to 6 grams of mesalamine showed that 80% of patients achieved complete or significant clinical improvement within 4 weeks.

    Mesalamine is an antiinflammatory, not an immunosuppressant. It may be one of the first treatments used for ulcerative colitis (UC) to lessen symptoms like diarrhea, rectal bleeding, or stomach pain. Immunosuppression is not a listed side effect for mesalamine. Other medicines used for UC, like prednisone, can suppress the immune system.

    The best time to take or use mesalamine will depend on the specific product you are using and why you are using it (ulcerative colitis induction or maintenance, ulcerative proctitis). Some products may need to be taken with food while others are taken on an empty stomach. Check with your doctor.

    Some forms of mesalamine are used long-term as a maintenance therapy in ulcerative colitis to help prevent symptoms from flaring up. Not all forms or brands of mesalamine are used long-term, so check with your doctor about your specific medicine. Call your doctor if your ulcerative colitis symptoms get worse after starting treatment.

    Brand name products of mesalamine may be more expensive than generic options. Some, but not all mesalamine products are available as generics. Your insurance should help pay for generics, or if you are paying out-of-pocket, ask your healthcare provider if there is a more affordable option.

    Mesalamine is available as delayed-release tablets or capsules, extended-release capsules, and rectal preparations like suppositories or enemas. The maximum dose will depend upon the specific product you are using and your diagnosis. Only use the dose prescribed by your doctor.

    Mesalamine is used in some patients with ulcerative colitis as a maintenance (long-term) treatment to help you stay in remission (without active symptoms). Other treatments for ulcerative colitis or proctitis are only taken short-term. Ask your doctor when you can stop taking treatment.

    Research studies looking at patients who received daily oral doses of 4 to 6 grams of mesalamine showed that 80% of patients achieved complete or significant clinical improvement within 4 weeks.

    Mesalamine is an antiinflammatory, not an immunosuppressant. It may be one of the first treatments used for ulcerative colitis (UC) to lessen symptoms like diarrhea, rectal bleeding, or stomach pain. Immunosuppression is not a listed side effect for mesalamine. Other medicines used for UC, like prednisone, can suppress the immune system.

    The best time to take or use mesalamine will depend on the specific product you are using and why you are using it (ulcerative colitis induction or maintenance, ulcerative proctitis). Some products may need to be taken with food while others are taken on an empty stomach. Check with your doctor.

    Some forms of mesalamine are used long-term as a maintenance therapy in ulcerative colitis to help prevent symptoms from flaring up. Not all forms or brands of mesalamine are used long-term, so check with your doctor about your specific medicine. Call your doctor if your ulcerative colitis symptoms get worse after starting treatment.

    Brand name products of mesalamine may be more expensive than generic options. Some, but not all mesalamine products are available as generics. Your insurance should help pay for generics, or if you are paying out-of-pocket, ask your healthcare provider if there is a more affordable option.

    Mesalamine is available as delayed-release tablets or capsules, extended-release capsules, and rectal preparations like suppositories or enemas. The maximum dose will depend upon the specific product you are using and your diagnosis. Only use the dose prescribed by your doctor.

    Mesalamine is used in some patients with ulcerative colitis as a maintenance (long-term) treatment to help you stay in remission (without active symptoms). Other treatments for ulcerative colitis or proctitis are only taken short-term. Ask your doctor when you can stop taking treatment.

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