Drug interactions
Famotidine + Mesalamine
Severity: Minor
Famotidine and Mesalamine: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Some oral mesalamine products use pH-dependent coatings to release the drug in the distal gut. Raising gastric pH with famotidine could in theory cause earlier release and alter delivery to the colon. A clinically important effect has not been well shown.
What this interaction means in plain words
Famotidine and Mesalamine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Famotidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Mesalamine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Higher gastric pH may alter the dissolution of pH-dependent mesalamine coatings.
What to do
No routine change is needed. If symptoms worsen on a pH-dependent formulation, consider a formulation with a non-pH-dependent release.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Mesalamine
Other interactions of Famotidine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Famotidine with Mesalamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Famotidine and Mesalamine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Some oral mesalamine products use pH-dependent coatings to release the drug in the distal gut. Raising gastric pH with famotidine could in theory cause earlier release and alter delivery to the colon. A clinically important effect has not been well shown.
How serious is the interaction between Famotidine and Mesalamine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine change is needed. If symptoms worsen on a pH-dependent formulation, consider a formulation with a non-pH-dependent release.
What other medicines interact with Mesalamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mesalamine with, for example, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live, Varicella virus vaccine live, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Mesalamine page.
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