Mezavant Shortage in Canada: Current Status
Quick answer
Mezavant (mesalamine 1.2g extended-release tablets, Takeda Canada, DIN 02297558) had a shipping-delay shortage in 2026 that Takeda marked resolved on August 5, 2026 — as of mid-October 2026 there's no active shortage report for it. The live status above always shows the current report, and if it goes short again, talk to your pharmacist rather than stopping or spacing out your doses on your own — mesalamine is a maintenance medication for ulcerative colitis.
What Mezavant is
Mezavant is the Canadian brand name for mesalamine (mesalazine) 1.2g extended-release tablets, made by Takeda Canada — DIN 02297558. It's a 5-ASA (5-aminosalicylic acid) anti-inflammatory used to treat and maintain remission in ulcerative colitis. Most patients take it as a maintenance medication, meaning consistent daily supply matters more than it would for a short-course drug.
Check the current status, not a past report
Mezavant's 2026 shortage was caused by a delay in shipping, and it was marked resolved on August 5, 2026. Shortages for a specific mesalamine product don't necessarily mean every formulation or manufacturer is affected. Check the current status for DIN 02297558 on MedShort rather than relying on a search result or forum post that may reflect an older report.
Don't stretch out your doses on your own
If your pharmacy is low on Mezavant, don't space out doses or split tablets to make a supply last longer — mesalamine's extended-release formulation is designed to release the drug at a specific rate through the digestive tract, and altering how you take it can reduce how well it controls inflammation. Talk to your pharmacist about your options as soon as you notice a supply problem, not once you're down to your last few tablets.
What a pharmacist can — and can't — do about it
Depending on the shortage, a pharmacist may be able to source Mezavant from another pharmacy or suggest a different mesalamine brand or formulation covered by your plan. Switching to a different 5-ASA product or dosing schedule for ulcerative colitis is a bigger decision than a typical substitution, though, so it often needs your prescriber's input rather than being a straightforward pharmacist swap. See when a pharmacist can substitute during a shortage and when it needs your prescriber instead.
Where to check
Search Mezavant or DIN 02297558 on MedShort for the current status pulled directly from Health Canada's Drug Shortages Canada reporting system — the same source your pharmacy checks.
Related Guides
Can a Pharmacist Substitute a Medication During a Shortage?
When pharmacists in Canada can substitute a different brand or strength during a shortage, and when your prescriber needs to be involved.
Drug Shortage vs Discontinued: What's the Difference?
The difference between a temporary drug shortage and a permanent discontinuation in Canada — and why it changes what you should do next.
What to Do When Your Medication Is in Shortage in Canada
A step-by-step guide for Canadian patients: how to check if a shortage is still active, what an estimated resolution date means, and when to talk to your pharmacist.
Latest Canadian Shortage Updates
Sources
Guide text last reviewed October 11, 2026; the shortage status shown above is pulled from Health Canada's data and refreshed hourly. MedShort.ca is an independent tracking tool and does not provide medical advice.