What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Mesalamine and olsalazine
Olsalazine's FDA label of May 15, 2026 names mesalamine in its drug interactions section; the mesalamine labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name olsalazine. The olsalazine label: “The concurrent use of mesalamine with known nephrotoxic agents, including non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity.”
Check it at the source: the mesalamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 27, 2026, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.); the olsalazine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 15, 2026, Viatris Specialty LLC).
What does the mesalamine label say about olsalazine?
Mesalamine's label (effective August 27, 2026) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name olsalazine in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (APRISO), Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective August 27, 2026 (SPL set 7951139c-b271-45a4-b523-34b23800917b), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the olsalazine label say about mesalamine?
Olsalazine label, drug interactionsThe concurrent use of mesalamine with known nephrotoxic agents, including non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity.
Olsalazine label, warnings and precautionsInterference with Laboratory Tests: Mesalamine may lead to elevated urinary normetanephrine test results.
Source: FDA drug label (Dipentum), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective May 15, 2026 (SPL set 8512d0c6-db4e-4673-b3b4-28975c18413f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Mesalamine | Olsalazine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.781 per tablet 1.2 g tablet | $15.70 per capsule 250 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once