If you have ulcerative colitis (UC), your doctor might suggest Pentasa as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used in adults to:

  • treat mildly to moderately active UC (periods of flare-ups when the disease is active and causing a lot of symptoms)
  • induce remission of UC

Pentasa comes as an extended-release capsule you swallow and contains the active ingredient mesalamine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called aminosalicylates.

This article describes the dosage of Pentasa, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Pentasa, see this in-depth article.

Note: The chart below highlights the basics of Pentasa’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.

Dosing schedule for induction of remission and treatment of mildly to moderately active UC

Pentasa formPentasa strengthsTypical daily dosageTypical dosing regimen/schedule
extended-release capsules· 250 milligram (mg)
· 500 mg		4,000 mg per day1,000 mg taken four times per day

Please keep in mind that this article covers Pentasa’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.

Below is information about Pentasa’s standard dosage

What is Pentasa’s form?

Pentasa comes as an extended-release capsule. The capsule has a coating that helps ensure the drug does not break down until it reaches your colon. This helps the drug work where your body needs it.

What strengths does Pentasa come in?

Pentasa capsules come in two strengths: 250 milligrams (mg) and 500 mg.

What are the usual dosages of Pentasa?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The usual dosage for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) and for inducing remission of UC is 4,000 mg per day.

For this dosage, you’ll take two to four Pentasa capsules four times daily, usually as follows:

  • If you’re taking the 250-mg capsules, you’ll take four capsules per dose.
  • If you’re taking the 500-mg capsules, you’ll take two capsules per dose.

This is the usual starting and maintenance dosage for treatment and for inducing remission. (A maintenance dose is the amount of drug you need to take long term to effectively treat your condition.)

It’s best to take your doses at the same times each day, about 6 hours apart. You should continue taking the prescribed dose each day for as long as your doctor recommends it.

Is Pentasa used long term?

Yes, Pentasa is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Pentasa’s dosage.

How long does the recommended dosage of Pentasa take to work for ulcerative colitis?

Pentasa starts working to reduce inflammation in your bowel right away. But it may take a few weeks before your symptoms improve.

The dosage that has been studied the most is 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day. This is the dosage that was found to be safe and helpful for induction of remission and the treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC).

What is the dosage of Pentasa for treating Crohn’s?

There is no recommended dosage for treating Crohn’s disease because Pentasa isn’t used to treat this condition. Pentasa is currently only approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat UC.

Like UC, Crohn’s is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both conditions affect the lining of your bowel, but they can affect different parts of it. Symptoms may also be different for each disease.

Pentasa may sometimes be prescribed off-label to treat Crohn’s disease. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition it’s not approved to treat.)

If you have Crohn’s disease and want to learn about treatment options for your condition, talk with your doctor.

Pentasa comes as an extended-release capsule that you swallow.

The usual dosage for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) is 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day. For this dosage, you’ll take two to four Pentasa capsules four times a day, usually as follows:

  • If you’re prescribed the 250-mg capsules, you’ll take four capsules per dose.
  • If you’re prescribed the 500-mg capsules, you’ll take two capsules per dose.

This is the usual starting and maintenance dosage. (A maintenance dosage is the amount of drug you need to take long term to effectively treat your condition.)

It’s best to take your doses at the same times each day, about 6 hours apart. You should continue taking the prescribed dose each day for as long as your doctor recommends it.

You should swallow Pentasa capsules whole. While you should not crush or chew Pentasa capsules, you can open them and sprinkle them onto applesauce or yogurt. You should eat the entire contents of the capsule immediately.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. (These tips may be helpful in case you don’t have applesauce or yogurt to mix with your capsule contents.)

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Pentasa, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Pentasa in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the regular time the next day. Do not double up on your dose, as this can increase your risk of side effects.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Pentasa on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Pentasa than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much Pentasa

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Pentasa. It’s also important to drink a lot of fluids. Water or sports drinks such as Gatorade or Pedialyte are best. These will help correct your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance and help with your kidney function.

You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Pentasa for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Pentasa without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Pentasa exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:

  • Should my dosage change if Pentasa isn’t working well enough for me?
  • Are there certain drugs I should not take if I’m taking Pentasa?
  • Does my dosage of Pentasa need to change if I’m taking other drugs along with it?
  • Would a different dosage increase or decrease my risk of side effects from Pentasa?
  • If I have a history of kidney or liver problems, can I take Pentasa?

For advice from others living with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis, join the Bezzy IBD community. To get news on treatments and tips for managing your condition, sign up for Healthline’s IBD newsletter.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.