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What Is Pentasa?

Pentasa is a prescription medication containing mesalamine, also called 5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA. It is an anti-inflammatory medicine used to induce remission and treat mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis in adults. Pentasa is available as extended-release capsules designed to release mesalamine throughout portions of the gastrointestinal tract. It acts primarily on inflamed intestinal tissue rather than suppressing the entire immune system. Pentasa is not a corticosteroid, and its release characteristics differ from other mesalamine products.

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What Is Pentasa?

Pentasa is a prescription medication containing mesalamine, also called 5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA. It is an anti-inflammatory medicine used to induce remission and treat mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis in adults. Pentasa is available as extended-release capsules designed to release mesalamine throughout portions of the gastrointestinal tract. It acts primarily on inflamed intestinal tissue rather than suppressing the entire immune system. Pentasa is not a corticosteroid, and its release characteristics differ from other mesalamine products.

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How Does Pentasa Work?

Pentasa delivers mesalamine to the intestinal lining, where it reduces inflammatory activity associated with ulcerative colitis. Its precise mechanism is not fully established, but mesalamine appears to influence local inflammatory pathways involving prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other mediators. Pentasa's extended-release granules distribute medication through portions of the small intestine and colon. These effects can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms such as diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Pentasa treats intestinal inflammation but does not permanently cure ulcerative colitis.

What Condition Does Pentasa Treat?

Pentasa is approved for the induction of remission and treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis in adults. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the lining of the colon and rectum. Symptoms can include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and urgency. Pentasa can help reduce inflammatory activity and symptoms in eligible patients. It is not an approved treatment for every form of inflammatory bowel disease, and its indication should not be confused with that of other mesalamine formulations. A gastroenterologist evaluates disease severity and treatment response before prescribing it.

How Should Pentasa Be Taken?

The recommended adult Pentasa dosage for mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis is 1 gram orally four times daily, for a total of 4 grams per day. Capsules can be swallowed whole without crushing or chewing. Alternatively, the capsules can be opened and their entire contents sprinkled onto applesauce or yogurt, then consumed immediately without chewing the granules. Patients should drink adequate fluids during treatment. Kidney function should be evaluated before starting Pentasa and periodically afterward. The prescribing clinician determines treatment duration based on disease response and tolerability.

What Are the Side Effects and Warnings of Pentasa?

Common adverse effects include headache, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and indigestion. Serious risks include kidney injury, acute mesalamine intolerance syndrome, severe skin reactions, liver problems, and blood disorders in susceptible patients. Acute intolerance can resemble a flare of ulcerative colitis, with worsening cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, or headache. Adequate hydration is recommended because mesalamine-related kidney stones have been reported. Patients with known hypersensitivity to salicylates or aminosalicylates should not use Pentasa. Persistent worsening gastrointestinal symptoms, reduced urination, or severe rash requires medical evaluation.

Common Questions About Pentasa

Is Pentasa the same as mesalamine?

Yes. Pentasa contains mesalamine in an extended-release capsule formulation. Other mesalamine products can have different release characteristics, approved uses, and dosing instructions.

Can Pentasa treat ulcerative colitis?

Yes. Pentasa is approved to induce remission and treat mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis in adults.

Is Pentasa a steroid medication?

No. Pentasa contains mesalamine, a locally acting anti-inflammatory medication. It is not a corticosteroid.

Can Pentasa affect kidney function?

Yes. Mesalamine can cause kidney injury in susceptible patients. Kidney function should be assessed before treatment and monitored periodically.

References

DailyMed - PENTASA (mesalamine) extended-release capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e39d9a3d-5d3a-4bb6-aab1-fdbb2a598606. Date Accessed October 30, 2026.

Mesalamine. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547995/. Date Accessed October 30, 2026.

Mesalamine. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688021.html. Date Accessed October 30, 2026.

Mesalamine (5-Aminosalicylic Acid). PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Mesalamine. Date Accessed October 30, 2026.

Mesalamine (USAN). StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551714/. Date Accessed October 30, 2026.