Balsalazide User Reviews & Ratings

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2012

For Ulcerative Colitis "I take 3 of the 750 mg capsules 3 times a day for my ulcerative colitis and have seen that as long as I make sure to take them at the same times every day, then it works very well and flare-ups are few. The capsules are easy to swallow, and the medication itself has been very easy on my stomach."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2013

Balsalazide for Crohn's Disease "I have used Colazal for about 5 months and actually stopped taking it for a month in between. When I am on the medication, I am fine, no with no active symptoms. When I stopped it, I was fine for a short period of time before it acted up again. I dealt with the symptoms because they were mild. But the moment it got bad, I took a dose, and things almost instantly got better, now that I am consistently taking my proper dosage. I have no issues at all."

• Kim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 27, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis "After years of UC, Balsalazide by Roxane put me into remission in November 2018. I took 750mg capsules nine times per day. By winter of 2021, my colonoscopy showed healed ulcers. When I saw the printed images, I couldn't believe my eyes! For suppression of the incurable disease - ulcerative colitis. I take two capsules in the morning and two at bedtime. I have taken Balsalazide 750mg continually since 2018. Yes, five years. Age 65. UC diarrhea began in the fall of 2004."

• Did...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis "I took balsalazide off and on for about 5 months. It does not work at all. I have had diarrhea on it as I did before I started taking it. My stomach pain has not improved either. And it’s really annoying to take 9 capsules every single day, they are quite big too. Not effective for me -_-"

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2008

For Crohn's Disease "Been on balsalazide for two weeks and already feel more normal than I have in years. Mouth and skin drier than before and perhaps some increased joint aches, but no more gut pain or headaches and all gut symptoms are markedly better. Wish I knew about this medicine five years ago."

• GYP...
• February 18, 2009

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This drug has basically saved my life. I've been hospitalized twice from severe ulcerative colitis. I would not be able to function outside of my home if it were not for this medication. Thank you for all the efforts that went into developing this drug."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2010

Balsalazide for Ulcerative Colitis "This medicine really helped me get in remission about 6 years ago. I'm still taking it as a maintenance drug, but I have been flaring up for the past 2 years while taking it. Prednisone has been my savior as far as the flaring up. Next step... Remicade. We will see how it goes!"

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2022

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I took mesalamine and prednisone for ulcerative colitis and improved immediately, returning to mostly normal in about six weeks. But mesalamine is so expensive, even with insurance. After talking with my gastroenterologist, I switched to the much more affordable balsalazide. Within two weeks, my symptoms returned, mild at first. After taking it for six weeks and never missing a dose, I was almost as bad as when I was first diagnosed. It had no effect on me, and it was almost as if I was not taking anything at all. I had to go back on the mesalamine. I really wished the balsalazide had worked for me!"

• bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis "This works well to control UC quickly; 3 BD puts flare-ups in remission within a couple of days. I spare my liver & stop taking it as often when I'm otherwise behaving well (diet, exercise, stress mgmt). Interesting that people report rashes as a side effect, as I get rashes only during flares (not related to meds). And it's on Kaiser's (N. Cal) formulary - so thankful!"

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2008

Balsalazide for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Tried for a few months some years ago. No side effects, didn't seem as effective as Asacol for me. Needs specific conditions in the gut to 'cleave' into the active medication, I think my particular gut wasn't suited. Beware that not every med will work in everyone, Asacol included. Try meds and observe how you fare."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2009

Balsalazide for Crohn's Disease "I have tried several medications for my Crohn's disease, including steroids, antibiotics, 6-MP, Entocort, Asacol. After having surgery to remove my ileum, Colazal seems to be the only medication that has helped and not caused any major side effects. From time to time, I have flare-ups, but overall, Colazal seems to be working."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 6, 2024

For Ulcerative Colitis "I am a 66-year-old man. In my early adolescence, I was having chronic diarrhea, chronic abdominal cramps, intermittent tenesmus, and excessive flatulence. I decided to quit smoking, but I got worse; I even had one instance of bloody diarrhea. Unfortunately, I was always misdiagnosed as having bacterial colitis, traveler's diarrhea, food poisoning, etc. All of a sudden, these chronic miserable symptoms disappeared, and I became normal for more than two decades. In my mid-fifties, the same symptoms came back, and again I was misdiagnosed with all diseases but not ulcerative colitis. It was a moderate to severe crisis, and the bloody diarrhea was profound; my hemoglobin was 7 gm/dl. Luckily, my wife took me to a brave doctor (my angel); he decided to do an urgent endoscopy, and finally, I was diagnosed properly: ulcerative colitis (bimodal) in 2012. Since then, I have been on balsalazide 750 mg x 3. For the last twelve years, I have been living a normal life and have never used prednisolone again. I never skipped a dose."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis "After three weeks, my sudden onset of ulcerative colitis hasn't cleared up much at all on balsalazide. I set my alarm to take it three times a day, but my symptoms are still as bad as they were when I first called my doctor. I'm slated for steroids now. Boo!"

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I’ve just started on balsalazide, three 750 mg capsules three times a day. I was having a Crohn's flare-up every six months prior to this drug! I’m hoping and praying this med will keep me out of the hospital! I’m currently recovering from an episode, and I’m also taking prednisone for two more weeks. I feel wonderful! So far!"

• she...
• July 7, 2011

Balsalazide for Crohn's Disease "Colazal completely rid me of all Crohn's symptoms after years of suffering. I'm worried now, after 4-5 years symptom-free, I need a kidney transplant. Will I still be able to use it if I get a flare-up?"

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I have been taking this med for 6 weeks. Was originally prescribed another med that I couldn't afford for $1,000.00 for one month! Anyway, I have been taking this medicine, and while I no longer have bloody passings, my stomach distention and terrible discomfort have not improved, and I still suffer from all the other inflammatory issues that accompany the UC flare, such as joint pain and red eyes. I had been in remission for about 4 years and achieved that remission with prednisone therapy, and frankly, I do not know why I was given this medicine. It is not helping me, and I'm feeling absolutely miserable while pushing through work and life."

• dbu...
• April 6, 2008

"I take the generic version of Colazal and have had a lot of success with it. Still have bad days, but not nearly as often. I have tried several medicines and treatments (Asacol, Lialda, Entocort, Pentasa... even Remicade treatments) so far. This, along with 6-MP, Robinul, and Prednisone, have given me the best results."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2024

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "My insurance wouldn’t cover mesalamine. This it did. Have been on prednisone for 18 months (5-7.5 mg). A few days after starting this I improved dramatically. However, I was gaining weight quickly as well. So, I went from 9 a day to 6. Still worked great. Then, went to 4 a day. Still great and I’m trying to taper off of prednisone. This drug keeps me from having to urgently find a bathroom. I’m much more relaxed."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 29, 2025

For Ulcerative Colitis "I’m 73 years old. I have taken balsalazide 750 mg as a maintenance drug for 5 years. Originally took 750 mg 3 times twice a day until remission. After remission, I was taking 1 750 mg capsule twice a day. Eventually, I have been taking 1 capsule at night for approximately 2 years. Bowl movement in the morning and no problems the rest of the day. My PCP quit refilling my Rx, and I quit taking capsules. 2 months off balsalazide and flare-ups have started coming back. Next doctor appointment, I’m going to try to get balsalazide Rx renewed."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Been taking 9 pills for a year. Zero percent effective on me. My UC has become much worse. Prednisone was added, budesonide, Canasa, and Uceris with Humira for the past 6 months. I have no control of my bowels. My UC is out of control, and I have black stool and black pools in the toilet. My GI has no explanation as to why I have upper intestinal bleeding. I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy just recently. Polyps were removed, and my colon refilled the progression of my ulcerative colitis. But my doctor still has no definitive reason as to why I have black stool."

• Syd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Going on 2 weeks of taking balsalazide, 4 pills two times a day. Symptoms have improved but still have some bleeding, an uncomfortable feeling on my left side (colon area), and sudden urges to run to the bathroom. Going to contact my doctor on Monday about my progress."

• Lar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 23, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis "I've been taking this for 20 years or so. Works well for me, was taking 9 a day, now I only take 6 a day. It is very good."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2011

Balsalazide for Ulcerative Colitis "Cheaper than some other medicines. It's my wonder drug."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis "Not had a flare-up of ulcerative colitis since taking the highest dose of balsalazide medication."

• bob...
• March 13, 2009

For Ulcerative Colitis "Have taken for over a year, with excellent results and no noticeable side effects."