Asacol

Generic Name: mesalamine (oral) (me SAL a meen)
Brand Name: Apriso, Asacol, Delzicol, 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. Mesalamine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

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

Important information about Asacol

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

Slideshow: Grapefruit and Medicines: A Possible Deadly Mix?

Before taking Asacol

You should not use Asacol if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

To make sure Asacol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis;

• a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);

• heart disease;

• 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.

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

Mesalamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby while using Asacol.

How should I take Asacol?

Take Asacol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Asacol with a full glass of water.

Asacol can 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 delayed-release tablet is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines. Breaking the pill may cause the drug to be released too early in the digestive tract.

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

Store 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.

What should I avoid while taking Asacol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

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 using Asacol and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, cramping, bloody diarrhea;

• fever, headache, skin rash;

• chest pain, shortness of breath;

• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• little or no urinating;

• swelling, rapid weight gain; or

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common Asacol side effects may include:

• mild stomach discomfort, gas;

• flu symptoms, runny nose;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• headache, dizziness;

• weakness; or

• joint pain.

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?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Asacol, especially:

• amphotericin B;

• azathioprine or mercaptopurine;

• pentamidine;

• tacrolimus;

• an antibiotic--capreomycin, rifampin, vancomycin;

• antiviral medicines--acyclovir, adefovir, cidofovir, foscarnet;

• cancer medicine--aldesleukin, carmustine, cisplatin, ifosfamide, oxaliplatin, streptozocin, tretinoin; or

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Asacol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Asacol.