COLAZAL vs MESALAMINE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 16, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. COLAZAL and MESALAMINE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	COLAZAL	MESALAMINE
Rating	70/100	New
Pharmacy pays	~$11.17 /30	~$26.72 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	BALSALAZIDE DISODIUM	MESALAMINE
Manufacturer	Valeant Pharm Intl	Actavis Mid Atlantic
Dosage forms	Capsule	Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, extended release, Enema, Suppository, Suspension, Tablet, delayed release, Kit
Drug class	Aminosalicylate	Aminosalicylate
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	—	about 7 to 9 hours (apparent terminal half-life)
Treats	Ulcerative Colitis	Ulcerative Colitis, Proctitis, Sigmoid Diseases

colazal mesalamine

Rating

70/100

New

Pharmacy pays

~$11.17 /30

~$26.72 /30

Type

Active ingredient

BALSALAZIDE DISODIUM

MESALAMINE

Manufacturer

Valeant Pharm Intl

Actavis Mid Atlantic

Dosage forms

Capsule

Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, extended release, Enema, Suppository, Suspension, Tablet, delayed release, Kit

Drug class

Aminosalicylate

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

—

about 7 to 9 hours (apparent terminal half-life)

Treats

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis, Proctitis, Sigmoid Diseases

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Colazal or Mesalamine?

Colazal costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $11.17 vs $26.72 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Colazal and Mesalamine?

Colazal contains Balsalazide Disodium, while Mesalamine contains Mesalamine — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.