Published online Nov 6, 2015. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v6.i4.137
Peer-review started: May 20, 2015
First decision: July 27, 2015
Revised: August 24, 2015
Accepted: October 12, 2015
Article in press: October 13, 2015
Published online: November 6, 2015
Processing time: 180 Days and 22.5 Hours
Oral mesalazine (also known as mesalamine) is a 5-aminosalicylic acid compound used in the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, with high rates of efficacy in induction and maintenance of remission. The therapeutic effect of mesalazine occurs topically at the site of diseased colonic mucosa. A myriad of oral mesalazine preparations have been formulated with various drug delivery methods to minimize systemic absorption and maximise drug availability at the inflamed colonic epithelium. It remains unclear whether different oral mesalazine formulations are bioequivalent. This review aims to evaluate the differences between mesalazine formulations based on the currently available literature and explore factors which may influence the selection of one agent above another.
Core tip: Various formulations of oral mesalazine are available for management of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Selection of the most appropriate formulation requires tailoring of the therapy to the individual and must incorporate factors such as disease distribution, efficacy, side effect profile, pill burden, patient preference and health economics.