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PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other medications that are broken down into mesalamine (e.g., sulfasalazine, olsalazine); or to salicylates (e.g., aspirin); or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, liver problems, asthma, abnormal emptying of stomach contents into the intestine (pyloric stenosis), pancreas problems (pancreatitis), inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis).This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for stomach bleeding, especially when combined with this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.Caution is advised when using this drug in older adults because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially kidney problems and effects on the blood (e.g., blood dyscrasias).This medication is similar to aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin or aspirin-related medications (e.g., salicylates) if they have chickenpox, flu, or any undiagnosed illness, or if they have just been given a live virus vaccine (e.g., varicella vaccine), without first consulting a doctor about Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.Rarely, this medication may affect a man's fertility. If your partner has trouble becoming pregnant while you are using this medication, consult your doctor for fertility testing.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs that may harm your kidneys (e.g., NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin), methotrexate.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.