Rowasa/Canasa

Canasa is a suppository (solid) rowasa is an enema (liquid). Both have mesalamine as the active ingredent (same thing that's in asacol, lialda, apriso). Canasa only treats the rectum, since a suppository can't go up that far, and the enema will treat the rectum and a good part of the left side of the colon (I've heard varying amounts).

If you ONLY have trouble with the rectum, Canasa is a good idea. If you have inflammation any further up than that, you need the enemas.

I use both. Rowasa is 4g and Canasa is 1g. I find the Canasa easier but it's also not as effective.

This link about Rowasa says it comes in delayed tablets, suppositories or enamas:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000880


How should this medicine be used?

Mesalamine comes as a delayed-release tablet and a controlled-release capsule to take by mouth and as a suppository and an enema to use in the rectum. The delayed-release tablet is usually taken three times a day, and the controlled-release capsule is usually taken four times a day. The suppository is usually used one to three times a day, and the enema is usually used once a day at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take or use mesalamine exactly as directed. Do not take or use more or less of it or take or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The info that you copied and pasted, Michelejc, is information about mesalamine, not specifically about Rowasa. In the US, there are generic forms of Rowasa available. I do not know about Canasa as I have never used it.

Cadillac Lover - Yes, Canasa and Rowasa are both brand names. Canasa is not available in generic form in the US, but Rowasa is available as generic (mesalamine suspension enemas). Canasa is expensive without insurance...not sure how much. For me, Rowasa works better. Not as easy to use, but worth it I guess.