Mesalamine - A Revered Drug for Inflammatory Bowel Disease With Detrimental Effects on the Lung and Heart

Abstract

To keep inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission, mesalamine is frequently utilized. It primarily targets the inflammatory response and lowers prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. It can be applied topically, orally, or as a suppository. It is typically well tolerated, but occasionally it can cause serious side effects, leading to a variety of medical problems. We describe two cases of severe mesalamine-induced toxicity, one of which manifested as cardiomyopathy and the other as pneumonitis. However, early detection and treatment of the side effects can be lifesaving.

Keywords: cardiomyopathy; inflammatory bowel syndrome; lung; mesalamine; ulcerative colitis (uc).