Canasa and dosage: Strength, form, when to use, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Canasa dosageMedically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 1, 2022 OverviewCanasa (mesalamine) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat ulcerative proctitis in adults. Canasa comes as a suppository that’s inserted rectally. It belongs to a class of drugs called aminosalicylates. And it’s available in a generic form called mesalamine. For information about the dosage of Canasa, including its strength and how to take it, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Canasa, see this article. This article describes typical dosages of Canasa provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Canasa, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Canasa dosage Talk with your doctor about the best dosage of Canasa for you. Canasa form Canasa comes as a suppository that’s inserted rectally. Canasa strength Canasa comes in one strength: 1,000 milligrams (mg). Typical dosages 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 fit your needs. Dosage for ulcerative proctitis The recommended dosage of Canasa to treat ulcerative proctitis is 1,000 mg inserted rectally once per day at bedtime. You will typically take this medication for a period of 3 to 6 weeks to treat your condition. Long-term treatment Typically, you’ll only take Canasa for a short time. This medication hasn’t been studied in people taking it for longer than 6 weeks. So, in most cases, your doctor will only recommend taking Canasa for a period of 3 to 6 weeks. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you and how long you should take Canasa. How to take Canasa Canasa comes as a suppository that’s inserted rectally. You should take your dose of Canasa at bedtime for 3 to 6 weeks, as directed by your doctor.Be sure to insert the whole Canasa suppository. Do not break it apart. You should try to retain the suppository for at least 1 to 3 hours after inserting it. It’s important to note that Canasa suppositories can stain some surfaces, including clothing and other materials such as flooring or granite. So be careful what surfaces you allow Canasa suppositories to touch, since they may stain. If you’d like step-by-step instructions on how to use Canasa, see the manufacturer’s website.ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Canasa in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles. Missed dose If you miss your dose of Canasa, you should take it as soon as possible. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the dose that you missed and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take two doses of Canasa at once to make up for a missed dose. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone. Canasa and overdose If you use more Canasa than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you do not use more Canasa than your doctor advises. Symptoms of an overdose Overdose symptoms of Canasa can include:nauseavomitingabdominal painbreathing faster than usualringing in the earsheadachedizzinessconfusionseizures If you take more than the recommended amount of Canasa Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Canasa. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. Takeaway and helpful resources The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Canasa for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. As with any drug, never change your dosage of Canasa without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Canasa that’s best for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Canasa. These additional articles might be helpful to you:More about Canasa. For information about other aspects of Canasa, refer to this article.Side effects. To learn about side effects of Canasa, see this article. You can also look at the Canasa prescribing information.Details about your condition. For details about ulcerative proctitis, see our inflammatory bowel disease hub. 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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