Lialda is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for mild or moderate ulcerative colitis. Lialda contains the active drug mesalamine and belongs to the aminosalicylate drug class.

Lialda is FDA approved to induce (cause) and maintain remission of ulcerative colitis in adults and certain children. Remission refers to having few or no symptoms.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Lialda here.

  • Drug form: delayed-release oral tablet (delayed-release means the drug is released into your body after it passes through your stomach)
  • Generic available? yes
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no

Lialda is a brand-name drug that contains the active ingredient mesalamine. This active ingredient is also available in generic forms. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.

Generics are considered as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you’re interested in using a generic form of Lialda, talk with your doctor. They can tell you if it comes in forms and strengths suitable for your condition.

Other brand-name versions of mesalamine are also available. These include Apriso, Delzicol, and Pentasa. If you’d like to know about these other drugs and find out possible dosage conversions (how to convert from taking one drug to taking the other), ask your doctor.

Note: Lialda is not a biologic. Biologic medications are made using living cells and are designed to act on specific substances in your immune system. Biologics for ulcerative colitis target substances that cause inflammation in your bowel. They tend to be used for more severe forms of ulcerative colitis when other drugs have not worked. Lialda also reduces bowel inflammation, but it does this in a less targeted way than biologics.

Lialda can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Lialda. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

Most of the drug’s side effects are not long term. However, some can be long lasting. These include certain liver problems and kidney problems. See the “Serious side effects” list to learn more.

For more information on the possible side effects of Lialda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may concern or bother you.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medicines safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Lialda and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

This section contains a partial list of mild side effects of Lialda. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Lialda’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Lialda can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or do not go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Lialda are not common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • Liver problems, including liver failure in people who already have liver problems. Symptoms can include:
    • jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
    • pain in the right side of your upper abdomen
  • Mesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndrome. Symptoms can be hard to tell apart from a flare-up of ulcerative colitis. They may include:
    • abdominal pain or cramping
    • bloody diarrhea
    • fever
    • headache
    • rash
  • Kidney problems, including kidney failure and kidney stones. Symptoms can include:
    • passing less urine than usual
    • swollen ankles, feet, or legs
    • shortness of breath
    • nausea
    • pain in your abdomen, back, or pelvis
    • frequent need to urinate, but passing only small amounts of urine
    • blood in your urine
    • urine discoloration
  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas). Symptoms can include:
    • nausea and vomiting
    • diarrhea
    • abdominal swelling and tenderness
    • fever
  • Skin rashes, including severe rashes from Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Symptoms can include:
    • rash that peels or has blisters
    • fever
    • body aches
  • Severe allergic reaction (see “Allergic reaction” for details).

Side effects in children

Lialda treats active ulcerative colitis in children who weigh at least 24 kilograms (about 53 pounds). Lialda’s side effects in children are generally similar to those in adults.

More common side effects of Lialda in children may include:

  • abdominal pain
  • infection, such as upper respiratory infection
  • vomiting
  • headache
  • anemia (low red blood cell level)

These side effects are usually mild. If they occur, they should ease within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they’re severe or don’t go away, talk with your child’s doctor.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Lialda. This side was rare in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Allergic reactions that affect the heart have also been reported with Lialda. These include myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of your heart). Symptoms can include:

  • abnormal heart rate
  • chest pain
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Lialda, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Lialda to treat certain conditions. Lialda may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.

Lialda for induction of ulcerative colitis remission in adults

Lialda is approved for inducing remission of active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in adults. (When the disease is active, you have lots of symptoms.) Inducing remission means treating your symptoms until they get better or go away.

With ulcerative colitis, you have inflammation in your colon. This can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe urges to use the bathroom, and other symptoms. You can learn more about ulcerative colitis in our inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hub.

Lialda for maintenance of ulcerative colitis remission in adults

Lialda is also approved for maintaining mild to moderate ulcerative colitis remission in adults.

Maintenance of remission means taking Lialda on a long-term basis, even when you don’t have symptoms. This helps prevent any symptoms from returning or worsening.

Lialda and children

Lialda is FDA approved to treat mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis in children who:

  • can swallow tablets whole, and
  • weigh at least 24 kilograms, which equals about 53 pounds

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Drug form and strengths

Lialda comes as a delayed-release oral tablet. Delayed release means it has a special coating that allows it to pass through the stomach before dissolving.

The tablets are available in one strength: 1.2 grams (g).

Dosage for induction of ulcerative colitis remission in adults

Induction of ulcerative colitis remission means treating your symptoms until they get better or go away.

The usual dosage for inducing remission is two to four Lialda tablets taken once per day with a meal. So, your doctor may prescribe 2.4 to 4.8 g daily, for you to take with food.

Dosage for maintenance of ulcerative colitis remission in adults

Maintaining ulcerative colitis remission involves taking Lialda long term, even when you don’t have symptoms. This helps manage your symptoms and prevent them from coming back.

The usual dose for maintenance of remission is two Lialda tablets taken once per day with a meal. So, your prescribed dosage would be 2.4 g daily, taken with food.

Children’s dosage

Recommended dosages of Lialda for children are based on body weight. Doctors prescribe this drug for children who can swallow tablets whole and weigh at least 24 kilograms (kg). This is about 53 pounds (lb).

For the first 8 weeks, the typical recommended daily dosage of Lialda for children is as follows:

  • For children weighing 24 kg to 35 kg, their daily dose is 2.4 g (two tablets).
  • For children weighing more than 35 kg to 50 kg, their daily dose is 3.6 g (three tablets).
  • For children weighing more than 50 kg, their daily dose is 4.8 g (four tablets).

After 8 weeks of treatment, your child’s doctor will likely reduce the dosage of Lialda as follows:

  • For children weighing 24 kg to 35 kg, their daily dose is 1.2 g (one tablet).
  • For children weighing more than 35 kg, their daily dose is 2.4 g (two tablets).

Your child should take Lialda with food.

About taking Lialda

The following list contains information about key dosage issues.

  • Best time to take Lialda: You can take Lialda at any time of day with a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day. Taking the medication around the same time of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Lialda work effectively.
  • If you miss a dose: If you forget to take a dose of Lialda at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at your usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing this can increase your risk of certain side effects.
  • Taking Lialda with food: You should take Lialda with food, such as a meal or snack.
  • Crushing, splitting, or chewing Lialda: You should swallow Lialda tablets whole with a drink. Do not crush, split, chew, or try to dissolve the tablets.
  • Length of use: Lialda is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lialda is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Lialda overdose

Taking more than the recommended dosage of Lialda can lead to serious side effects.

Taking too much Lialda can lead to serious overdose symptoms, similar to aspirin poisoning. Do not take more Lialda than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Other drugs that can treat ulcerative colitis are available. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Lialda, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Lialda:

As with all medications, the price of Lialda can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Lialda. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: You cannot use Optum Perks coupons with any insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Lialda, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called Help at Hand is available for Lialda. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-830-9159 or visit the program website.

Generic version: Lialda is available in generic forms. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of generic mesalamine compares to the cost of Lialda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

You may wonder how Lialda compares to other medications that doctors prescribe for ulcerative colitis. Here we look at how Lialda, Apriso, and Asacol HD are alike and different.

Note: Asacol HD has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

LialdaAprisoAsacol HD
Active ingredientmesalaminemesalaminemesalamine
Formdelayed-release oral tabletoral tablet that’s both extended-release and delayed-releasedelayed-release oral tablet
Uses• cause remission (a period of few or no symptoms) of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis
• maintain remission of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis 		• maintain remission of ulcerative colitis • cause remission of moderate ulcerative colitis

Since all three medications contain the same active ingredient, they can cause very similar side effects.

You can refer to the prescribing information for Lialda, Apriso, and Asacol HD to learn more about these drugs, including their side effects.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Lialda.

Is Lialda a steroid?

No, Lialda is not a steroid. It belongs to a group of medications called aminosalycitates. Lialda and steroids both lower inflammation in the body, but they work differently.

Lialda targets inflammation in the colon by blocking certain chemicals. Steroids reduce inflammation by reducing immune system activity throughout the body.

Sometimes, doctors might prescribe Lialda along with a steroid medication for ulcerative colitis.

You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist for details about how Lialda compares with steroids for your condition.

Is Lialda a blood thinner or an NSAID?

No, Lialda is not a blood thinner or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Instead, Lialda is an aminosalicylate medication that reduces inflammation in your colon and rectum.

Lialda contains the active drug mesalamine. This drug is structurally related to aspirin, which is a blood thinner and an NSAID. However, Lialda works differently in your body than aspirin.

Very rarely, Lialda may cause a decrease in the number of platelets (a type of cell) in your blood. This could make you bruise or bleed more easily because platelets usually help your blood to clot. However, Lialda is not used as a blood thinner.

If you have questions about how Lialda compares with other types of drugs, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Lialda an immunosuppressant?

No, Lialda is not an immunosuppressant drug. Lialda is a type of drug called an aminosalicylate. Lialda and immunosuppressants both decrease inflammation in the body, but they work differently.

Immunosuppressants reduce immune system activity (also referred to as weakening the immune system), whereas Lialda targets inflammation in the colon specifically by blocking certain chemicals. Lialda doesn’t reduce immune system activity.

Sometimes doctors might prescribe Lialda along with an immunosuppressant medication.

You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist for details about how Lialda compares with immunosuppressants for ulcerative colitis.

Lialda’s exact mechanism of action (how the drug works) is not fully understood. It’s thought that Lialda reduces inflammation in the colon by blocking certain chemicals, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes (immune system chemicals), that cause swelling and irritation. By lowering inflammation, Lialda can help reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms.

How long does it take for Lialda to work?

Lialda will start to reduce the inflammation in your bowel as soon as you start taking it. However, it may take a few weeks before your symptoms reduce, and up to a few months to feel the full effects of the medication.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Lialda and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Lialda is safe to take during pregnancy. Some studies and reviews of studies have shown that Lialda might be safe for use during pregnancy.

It’s important to note that there are risks associated with having unmanaged ulcerative colitis while pregnant.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) indicates that you can take mesalamine (the active ingredient in Lialda) during pregnancy to help maintain remission (having few or no symptoms). Current evidence suggests that the benefits of taking mesalamine to help keep ulcerative colitis in remission outweigh the possible risks.

If you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for ulcerative colitis during pregnancy. Together, you can consider the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take Lialda during pregnancy.

You can also refer to this article on ulcerative colitis and pregnancy for details.

Lialda and birth control

It’s not known if Lialda is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking Lialda.

Lialda and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether you should take Lialda while breastfeeding. Mesalamine, the active ingredient in Lialda, can pass into breast milk in small amounts. Diarrhea has been reported in some children breastfed by people taking mesalamine.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Lialda can interact with several other medications and alcohol.

Medication interactions

Medications that can interact with Lialda include:

Before taking Lialda, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Lialda. It’s likely safe to consume alcohol while taking Lialda.

However, if you get headaches or feel nauseated while taking Lialda, drinking alcohol could worsen this.

Some people also find that drinking alcohol can cause a flare-up of ulcerative colitis. Alcohol may also trigger symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping, or bloating in some people.

If you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to drink while taking Lialda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking Lialda, talk with your doctor about your health history. Lialda may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Lialda, see the “Lialda side effects” section.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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