Mesalamine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• 7ye...
• October 22, 2013

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "Diagnosed in 2006 with severe Crohn's disease. Tried a dozen medications and never had any success or even close to finding remission. Consistent pain, diarrhea, nausea, etc.... started Lialda 1.2 GM once daily 4 days ago. My pain, nausea, and everything stopped within a few hours of the first dose except diarrhea, it's actually gotten worse and completely watery. Is this normal, and if so, how long does it typically last? I am SO happy to be 100% pain-free for the first time in 7 years without having to use a painkiller, just want the diarrhea to stop so I can be more active outside of the home with my children."

• Bea...
• April 24, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 8 years ago and, due to my financial situation, stopped taking any meds for the past 5 years. But recently, I went back to my GI, and after being reprimanded for my actions, I was put back on Lialda. It has been about 2 and a half months, and most of my symptoms have improved, though I am still having soreness/dull ache in my abdomen and urgency for the bathroom more than my GI thinks I should. A colonoscopy is scheduled in a few weeks to see what the condition of the colon is in, and I may have to add another medication. I would advise, even if you are feeling fine, do not stop taking your meds unless directed by your doctor. I have been told I will need to take meds for the rest of my life."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been taking 4 x Pentasa 500 mg twice daily since I was diagnosed with Crohn's in June this year. I haven't noticed any side effects, but my stomach cramping, bloating, gas, and just general pain have dramatically decreased, so I think it is helping! Yay. My specialist has advised that if my symptoms don't totally subside on this medication, I have to try a steroid, so hopefully it continues to work for me. Thankfully, I'm in Scotland as well, so I don't need to pay for the prescription."

• Cas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I’m on mesalamine for colitis. Just wanted to mention the company that makes it will help with the cost. I called them directly, sent in an application for patient assist. I now get it at no cost. I work. They have different income levels. If you are over a certain amount but under a certain amount, you pay $50 a month."

• Ste...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 1, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I began taking Pentasa in 1986 when it was still an experimental drug. I have taken over 150,000 250 mg capsules! My UC has been in remission for over 25 years now. I still take six 250 mg capsules daily. For me, Pentasa has been a miracle drug, as I wasn't too far from death in the early 1980s. I just wish it were available as a generic. I am now on Medicare, and the prescription Part D plans don't pay well. It will cost me hundreds per month."

• GAG...
• December 1, 2012

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I have been taking Lialda for 9 months now for my microscopic colitis, and it is working! I take 3 pills a day with zero side effects. I only have flare-ups if I eat something on my no-no list. My doctor told me I could come off the medication if I want to, as it is the type that will cause remission, but I am too afraid to go back to the pain of my colitis, so I decided to remain taking it. The only problem with this medication is that it is very expensive."

• Pea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 3, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I’ve been taking Lialda for 6 years. I started on a very high dose but have reduced it over the years. I do believe it gives me gas, stomach aches, and I often have soft stools and mild cramping. I spoke to my doctor about it, and he agrees it is probably the Lialda, but I didn’t want to switch in fear a new drug would not be as effective. I can deal with the side effects I have, but I definitely don’t want another flare-up. With that said, it works for me, but with annoying side effects. Also, the price is ridiculous! For a while, I could use coupons, but they aren’t available since a generic was introduced. Thank goodness I have insurance, but it’s still high."

• UP2...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 14, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I have been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (Proctitis) for the last 4 years. Lialda has worked best for me with no side effects. I am taking 2 tablets twice daily. For people with Ulcerative Colitis in the distal part of the colon, Lialda will work best. I tried to switch to Apriso 2 years ago only because of the cost of Lialda and had a worse flare-up, which took 6 months to get back to normal with oral steroids and steroid enemas. I am using the Lialda Pharmacy Savings card, which reduces my copay to $10/month."

• Ano...
• April 7, 2017

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was diagnosed with moderate to severe universal colitis on 3/27. I was prescribed Lialda and take 4 pills a day as well as 1 Uceris. I am not exaggerating when I say the relief was almost instant! Within 3 days, I went from urgently using the bathroom 5 - 6 times a day with unbearable abdominal cramps to using the bathroom once a day with no cramps! The only side effects I have noticed so far are slight headaches, occasional trouble sleeping, and more frequent urination, which I will take over my colitis symptoms any day :) Lialda seriously has changed my life in the short 2 weeks I've been taking it ——————————————————— 19 years old Moderate to severe universal colitis Flare started: May 2016 Diagnosed: March 2017 Remission: April 2017"

• Bab...
• June 8, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I am on day 3 of Lialda. The first day I took all 4 pills with breakfast. Did the same on day 2. Day 2 I had severe diarrhea, chills, and headache. I felt like I had the flu. That night I did the Canasa suppository. Woke up several times in the night, but did not go to the bathroom. Day 3, I woke up with a severe headache and mild diarrhea. I decided that I would take 2 Lialdas with breakfast. I started feeling a little better. It is now night 3, and I just took 2 Lialdas with dinner. Headache is not as severe. I am hoping that by day 7 I feel normal again. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2003. I have not had a flare since 2006 until recently."

• CJN...
• July 30, 2009

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Like the others mention, I was put on Asacol after a hospital stay, which included high doses of prednisone and transfusions. I was prescribed Asacol and have been flare-free for just over 1 year now. Occasionally, I experience slight nausea after taking it, but I have found that taking it with a meal reduces or eliminates that problem. I intend to continue to take this medicine because I feel it has allowed me to live a normal life again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2016

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This medicine has little to no effect on my ulcerative colitis. I was diagnosed with it in early August of this year, I was prescribed Lialda because my case wasn't 'too severe.' I have seen no improvement from this medicine, and I would say my symptoms/flare-ups have become worse and more frequent. Apparently, this medicine works for some people, not me. I haven't noticed any of the side effects from Lialda, but it definitely isn't doing what it is supposed to."

• pau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "2 years ago, very bad colitis, spent 7 days in hospital, drugs, X-rays, etc. I responded well to drugs, and I am now on 3 Pentasa in the morning and 3 at night, with no side effects, and I do eat anything I want. At the time I went to the hospital, I was 74 years old, and it came on over a period of 2 months. In the end, I lived on the toilet. I did see a specialist, and he sent me straight to the hospital. He said I was gravely ill. I am good now."

• tpk...
• June 9, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "My GP had me on another drug for 4 years and was feeling great. An annual colonoscopy showed nothing, so the 'Great Gastro' took me off everything, and about a month later, everything blew up. Went back to a Nurse Practitioner who apologized and put me on Lialda and Canasa. 1 week later, great again. Ins Co, after 6 months, decided not to pay for Lialda, so I was put on another couple, worked for a couple months, then blew up again. NP called Ins Co and got them to approve Lialda, Canasa again, and 2 months in, all ok except after eating, still bloating and gas. We explored my eating habits, and she (NP) took me off gluten, and gas and bloating stopped. Joints stopped aching. Try it! Can even touch my toes!!! Best NP around at OSU Gastro Clinic in Co."

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2011

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have had Crohn's disease for many years and have used many medications. I started using Pentasa in November and did very well until the last month, when I started having chest pains and heart palpitations. I am now off all medications, but continue to feel tired and weak. The past two years, I have had reactions to all of the medications we have tried."

• JMa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 5, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I take Pentasa much in the way people take Rolaids. As soon as I feel like my intestines are reacting poorly, I will take 2 Pentasa 500 mg, and my stomach calms down within 10 minutes. I have no idea why it works for me, a Crohn's patient for 10 years, in this way. I do not ever take it as a preventative medicine. As a topical way to calm intestine discomfort, it just seems to be miraculous."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "It worked for me initially, but then stopped working. I didn't really notice any side effects. Have been on 4 pills daily, but will need to be switched to something else. I was getting my medication shipped free to my house through the manufacturer. If you qualify for their program, you get approved within 2 days."

• Vit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2016

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "Age 37, diagnosed with bad UC at 12, recent years only flares up 2-3 times/year. Currently fighting the first bout of the year with Pentasa suppositories, taking 1-2/day. Has stopped the bleeding and going less frequently BUT awful headaches (as with Asacol/Salofalk foam enemas). Note to self/others who are sick of drugs: I have found (25 yrs in) that it IS possible to be symptom-free if you properly and consistently take care of yourself. This means plenty of rest/sleep, chamomile tea/water, gentle exercise, meditation (mindfulness is a cliché/buzzword but there's a lot to it), steamed veggies/rice, avoiding sugar/alcohol/dairy/caffeine (going gluten-free can help some people too)... I intend to cure myself completely one of these days!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I took Apriso for a year, and it was successful in treating my ulcerative colitis. I was then switched to Asacol HD. My prescription plan eventually decided Asacol HD was too expensive, and I was put back on Apriso. This second course on Apriso was not successful. It did nothing to alleviate my ulcerative colitis symptoms and produced a number of unpleasant side effects - the worst of which was moderate-to-severe stomach cramps around the clock - even waking me from sound sleep. Coupled with an incredibly dry mouth that invited multiple canker sores to erupt in my mouth, these symptoms made eating anything very unpleasant; I lost 15 lbs in the three weeks I was on Apriso. As soon as I stopped taking it, the cramping and canker sores disappeared."

• Lue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2017

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was put on Asacol to start when first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I was on it for at least three or four months, and things didn't seem to be getting better. It was only when-on vacation-I forgot to take it for a few days and realized that I immediately felt much better. For me, Asacol caused symptoms that were nearly identical to a flare-up of ulcerative colitis."

• rem...
• February 17, 2009

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "My Crohn's disease diagnosis followed a routine colonoscopy at age 54. I had unexplained bouts with diarrhea but never thought much of it. Pentasa reduced the frequency from about every three weeks to about every six to eight weeks and appears to have reduced the inflammation. No obvious side effects, seems to be helping."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2012

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was diagnosed in 1990, and for most of the time since, I have been on Pentasa. The only side effects I have had are: 1) slight increase in hair loss - I added extra folic acid to my vitamins, and the hair loss greatly reduced. 2) I do not have confirmation, but I believe I react to the salicylates - I get a rush of burning red face after I take the medicines and after certain foods. All in all, these are pretty innocuous side effects compared to other options I was given. Thankfully, I can stay well maintained on the Pentasa. Just wish it helped with fistulas too!"

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2012

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in April of 2011. After numerous visits with my doctor and exploratory scopes, my gastroenterologist prescribed Asacol last September (2012) and he gave me a discount card to use when I initially filled my prescription for Asacol, so the monthly prescriptions have been FREE! Since taking Asacol on a regular basis, my last scope revealed that ALL of my ulcerations have healed! Thank you, Asacol! You've changed my life!"

• Lee...
• August 28, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with UC after lots of fluids when passing gas, loose stools including blood, and bowel incontinence. Within 6 months, I was in remission and could stop wearing incontinence pants. I'm thrilled!"

• tes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I got UC 3 years after quitting smoking at age 70. As I was always healthy before, I was rather dismayed to be told I have ulcerative colitis. I take the enema and find it difficult to use as well as a nuisance. I do not 'go' as often and there is no more blood, but I am tired, have headaches, bloating, flatulence, and cramps---to the extent that I now get very little sleep. Before, my symptoms were in the morning. Now, I feel urgency to go all day---as well as most nights. Won't say I'm sorry I quit smoking. I'll just say I'm glad I smoked as long as I did. Hope others have better experiences with this drug."