The molecule is a monohydroxybenzoic acid consisting of 5-aminosalicylic acid (mesalazine) linked to 4-aminobenzoyl-beta-alanine via an azo bond. It has a role as a prodrug, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an anti-ulcer drug and a gastrointestinal drug. It is a conjugate acid of a balsalazide(2-).
5-[[4-(2-carboxyethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]diazenyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid