Aminosalicylates are medications that use the ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) to treat inflammation resulting from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These drugs are effective in treating mild to moderate inflammation, but are less effective in treating more severe cases.

Sulfasalazine was the first widely used aminosalicylate. However, the drug sometimes causes numerous side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Newer aminosalicylates include balsalazide, mesalamine and olsalazine. They are less likely to cause side effects.

Aminosalicylates are available in various formulations including oral preparations, enemas, suppositories (solid medications that are inserted into a body cavity other than the mouth before melting and passing into the bloodstream).

Patients should not take aminosalicylates if they are allergic or otherwise sensitive to salicylates (e.g., aspirin). Other drugs may also interact poorly with aminosalicylates. In addition, patients may not be good candidates for taking aminosalicylates if they have been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease.