Asacol

Generic Name: mesalamine (oral) (me SAL a meen)
Brand Names: Asacol, Lialda, Pentasa

What is Asacol?

Asacol (mesalamine) affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

Asacol is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Asacol is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Asacol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Asacol

You should not use Asacol if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).

Before you take Asacol, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis, a heart condition such as congestive heart failure, or a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

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Do not crush, break, or chew a Asacol tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. It is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines.

Call your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.

Stop using Asacol and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Asacol?

You should not use Asacol if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Asacol:

• a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis;

• a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);

• a heart condition such as congestive heart failure;

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Asacol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Mesalamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Asacol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Asacol pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Asacol?

Take Asacol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Asacol with a full glass of water.

Asacol can usually be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush, break, or chew a Asacol tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.

The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.

Call your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.

Store Asacol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Asacol dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache, confusion, drowsiness, sweating, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking Asacol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Asacol.

Asacol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Asacol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Asacol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.

Less serious Asacol side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas;

• fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms;

• constipation;

• headache or dizziness;

• tired feeling; or

• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Asacol side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Asacol?

Before taking Asacol, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• azathioprine (Imuran) or mercaptopurine (Purinethol);

• pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet);

• antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

• antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir);

• cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid);

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin, nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Asacol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Asacol.

What does my medication look like?

Mesalamine is available with a prescription under the brand names Asacol, Lialda and Pentasa. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Asacol, especially if it is new to you.

• Asacol 400 mg Delayed-Release Tablets - reddish-brown, capsule-shaped tablets