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What Is Canasa?

Canasa is a prescription rectal suppository containing 1000 mg of mesalamine, an aminosalicylate. It is used in adults for mildly to moderately active ulcerative proctitis. The suppository acts locally in the rectum and is administered once daily, preferably at bedtime. Treatment duration under current mesalamine suppository labeling is three to six weeks.

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What Is Canasa?

Canasa is a prescription rectal suppository containing 1000 mg of mesalamine, an aminosalicylate. It is used in adults for mildly to moderately active ulcerative proctitis. The suppository acts locally in the rectum and is administered once daily, preferably at bedtime. Treatment duration under current mesalamine suppository labeling is three to six weeks.

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How Does Canasa Reduce Rectal Inflammation?

The precise mechanism of mesalamine in ulcerative proctitis is not fully defined. Mesalamine acts locally on inflamed rectal tissue and reduces inflammatory activity. Proposed actions involve reduced production of inflammatory arachidonic acid metabolites and changes in other inflammatory signaling pathways within the intestinal lining.

Who Is Treated With Canasa?

Canasa is used in adults with mildly to moderately active ulcerative proctitis. The suppository is designed for rectal administration and acts primarily at the affected site. Current labeling does not establish safety and efficacy beyond six weeks of treatment.

How Is Canasa Used?

One 1000 mg suppository is inserted rectally once daily at bedtime for three to six weeks. The suppository should not be cut or broken. After insertion, it is retained for one to three hours or longer when possible. Kidney function is evaluated before treatment and periodically during therapy.

What Safety Problems Need Attention With Canasa?

Serious concerns include kidney impairment, mesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndrome, hypersensitivity reactions, severe skin reactions, liver failure in people with liver disease, kidney stones, and intracranial hypertension. Symptoms such as worsening abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, severe rash, visual changes, or persistent headache call for medical evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canasa

What condition does Canasa treat?

Canasa treats mildly to moderately active ulcerative proctitis in adults.

How often is Canasa used?

The labeled regimen uses one 1000 mg rectal suppository once daily at bedtime.

Can a Canasa suppository be cut in half?

No. Current mesalamine suppository labeling states that the suppository should not be cut or broken.

Does Canasa require kidney monitoring?

Yes. Kidney function is evaluated before treatment and periodically while mesalamine therapy continues.

References

5-Aminosalicylic Acid. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5-aminosalicylic-acid. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

CANASA (mesalamine) suppository. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=89d91601-152b-4398-bebe-af1c023e9935. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

DailyMed - MESALAMINE suppository. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=73317da3-cba0-4106-9e88-79b0e2f642af. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

FDALabel - CANASA (mesalamine). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/ui/spl-summaries/criteria/916836. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

Mesalamine Rectal. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a614021.html. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.