Mesalamine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Ric...
• July 6, 2015

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 27 years old. I'm now 54. I've been through 2 fistula removals and many nights awakened with extreme rectal spasms. No fun! Extreme weight loss and fatigue. My doctor put me on Asacol 400 mg (2 in the morning and 2 at night). Turned my life around. The doctor told me I needed to stay on the medicine for the rest of my life. I felt great, put weight back on, and then I did a stupid thing. I decided to stop taking it. Was doing fine for the past 5 years, but it's back. Weight loss and all other symptoms: cramping, loss of appetite, etc. If Asacol is working for you, stay on it."

• Mer...
• July 28, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "45 yr female finally diagnosed with UC after months of misdiagnosis, told bout of gastroenteritis, put on cipro, flagyl, etc. White blood cell count of 24,000 before hospitalized and still misdiagnosed. Had to yes beg for colonoscopy to get correct Dx. Took 50 mg prednisone step down, ended 5 weeks ago, only on mesalamine now, 4 pills 1 x per day. No blood, but still loose/wet small stool 'baby snakes,' never a clean wipe, severe headaches all day, fatigue, flu symptoms, sore throat, eye inflammation, muscle pain, and unbearable teeth pain/pressure. Need blood labs to check kidney and a follow-up with GI. May drop to 3 pills, see if help with awful side effects especially the crushing headaches, the worst, as only can take Tylenol, does nothing. Not sure side effects worth it, hope reduced mg helps. PS taking turmeric & slippery elm at night, still never solid stool. Always carry wipes, but only going 1-2 x per day, so have to pick symptoms tolerate. Don't want to be put on biologics Humira or Stelara, willing to try lower dose first."

• Ped...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2012

Mesalamine for Inflammatory Bowel Disease "Have had IBD for years, got relief after just 3 doses. The disease has had me housebound for a year because I never knew when I was going to have an accident. Had no control at all. Am hoping this will be the solution and I can have a normal life."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 25, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I loved this medication when I was first diagnosed because I was feeling better immediately, and everything cleared up 2 weeks in. I have been on this medication for almost 2 years now, and I have gained 30 lbs, and when I am on the highest dose of medication, I get painful acne! I never had acne as a teen. I also feel bloated all the time and think Lialda makes me retain water. I forgot to take my pills once, and the UC flare came roaring back within a day or two. My hair is also thinner. Did not fall out, just thinned. Don't enjoy the symptoms, but I do appreciate that it does work!"

• KBD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Has anyone had issues with their sinuses and throat on mesalamine? I already had post-nasal drip and allergies. However, I feel like the mesalamine has heightened it. My throat never feels 100% either! Just curious."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I am 24 years old, and I have secret ulcerative colitis. I recently tried Apriso for the second time this year and had the same results as the first attempt: horrible nausea, cramps, and insanely urgent diarrhea. Up all night. Couldn’t go to work, couldn’t function. I had better control and management without the drug."

• Juv...
• November 20, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm a Filipina, 44 years old, and was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2014. I've been taking Pentasa tabs and suppositories as well. My first 6 months were four Pentasa 500 mg tablets twice a day and 1 suppository before bedtime. There was an improvement, I had less diarrhea and cramping of the stomach. I maintained taking Pentasa for 2 years and reduced the dosage until I took two 500 mg Pentasa a day and 1 suppository. Since I feel better, I decided to stop taking the medicine. Now I'm 3 years without taking any medicine and starting again with diarrhea and bloody stools. Maybe I need to start back on Pentasa again."

• wal...
• October 27, 2015

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have started the Pentasa. It has given me diarrhea and some stomach cramps when taking it. I have to see if after taking it for a week how it will do with the Crohn's or see about getting off of it. I am also getting cramps in the stomach area when taking this medication."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Almost 54 y/o female, recently had initial recommended colonoscopy. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and prescribed 1.2 gm tablets of mesalamine. My colitis problem was hardly noticeable to me until beginning this medication. I only had slight change in morning BM routine. Now... I'm nauseous, have terrible stomach cramping and pain, as well as diminished appetite. That part not awful since I'd welcome a healthful 15 lb weight loss. I've only been on this medication for 6 days, but I'm very concerned about the cramping and stomach pain. If it persists another day or two, I'll be contacting my GI Dr rather than wait for my 5-week follow-up. The cost of this medicine for a 30-day supply would be almost $600.00 if I didn't have RX coverage. Still, $127.70 a month is steep."

• Dow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Mesalamine did absolutely nothing for me, but I’m sure it put some extra money into my doctor’s pocket. I told my sister (who is a teacher) about my colitis and the medication the doctor put me on. She told me to drink dandelion root tea because it’s a probiotic... CLEARED IT UP COMPLETELY IN ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. I drank it every day during that time. I had been bleeding for a whole year before the tea (even during the Lialda)."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2008

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Asacol has worked perfectly for me. I was diagnosed with moderate ulcerative colitis, started taking Asacol (along with enemas, for about 2 months), now I'm completely off the enemas and still taking the Asacol tablets twice a day at 4 pills per time (8 per day). It has been about four months since I've had any sign of my colitis, and I intend to keep taking Asacol. I am reducing my dose to 6 pills per day for the next month or two, then I'll go down to 4 pills per day and see if that dosage will keep it away. I am very pleased with this drug."

• Mil...
• August 27, 2016

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "After being on an obscene amount of prednisone without working, I switched GI's, and he prescribed me Salofalk. When I know a flare is coming, I can take a few Salofalks over the course of a few days, and things usually clear up. Was a lifesaver!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 6, 2012

Mesalamine for Lymphocytic Colitis "I have been on this medication for about 5 years now, 4 tablets a day, down from 6 a day. Thank goodness it has worked, as when I had attacks, I lost 20 lbs in 6 weeks. Symptoms are pretty much gone, and life returned to normal about 2 months after beginning this medication. I was 55 when diagnosed and just turned 60 and am doing fine. I have no apparent side effects."

• Ile...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I have been on this drug for twenty days. I took myself off it because I've experienced severe joint and muscle pain. I also have rashes all over, including my head. I have lost 11 pounds, which would be nice except it is not fat, it is muscle mass. This drug needs more study! I sincerely hope no one else has to suffer as I have. I have been off it for 9 days now, and things have not improved. I hope this is not something I have to live with, but it appears it might be."

• Jea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 31, 2017

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Previously taking Sulphasalazine from the age of 20, which was awful for me. I was admitted to the hospital on several occasions, and the dose was combined with high steroid treatment. I became paranoid, so the steroids were slowly reduced, then stopped. I found out about Asacol from a medical journal (I was a nurse). I asked if I could start taking it as I'd given up on the Sulphasalazine. Within weeks, I had no symptoms. I stayed on it for 2 years. I was lucky as I had 18 years with no problems. In 2004, it came back - but it was mild. I saw my GP, who prescribed Pentasa, and my gut went wild. I went back onto Asacol and once again, within weeks, I was symptom-free. I'm on a low dose at 70 years of age. Not bad as I was told I'd not make 25!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2023

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I have had left side colitis since my return from Vietnam in 1970. I have been in and out of the hospital, put on Prednisone so many times, every drug imaginable over the years… Five years ago I had one of my twice yearly bad flares and my Dr. put me on 8 500mg tablets every day. It has been a miracle for me. In remission for 5 years. No side effects. I’m 78 years old, so I have had this a long time. The only negative side is trying to swallow those horse pills… my advice to my fellow sufferers is don’t give up! One last thing… I moved to Costa Rica with my wife 13 years ago. I belong to Caja which is the country's socialized medical system. It covers all the cost of the drug."

• Kim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I’m so happy with the results of this drug. I don’t have to worry about sitting on the toilet all day. I was diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for years until I finally got the right Dr. Although I still have the symptoms from time to time, nothing like the years before. I recommend this drug to anyone who suffers from any type of inflammatory bowel disease."

• Anonymous
• June 19, 2008

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I have been using Asacol for about 6 years. At the onset of ulcerative colitis, I was on high doses of prednisone with the Asacol. It took over a year to get stabilized, but the past two years have been event-free. The only complaint I have is that the doctor did not explain how Asacol works. I thought it was not working because I was passing whole tablets. I actually was breaking some of the pills, thinking I was helping when, in fact, I was hurting the situation. Now taking 9 x 400 mg pills daily."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2010

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Asacol caused high diarrhea within 1-2 days, then was switched to Colezol, and within about 2 months had a bad flare-up, which stopped within 2 days of discontinuing Colezol. Have since learned that if you are intolerant of Asacol, Colezol should not be prescribed. Are going to end up with same issues."

• Sta...
• September 15, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I have been taking Apriso since December 2010 and have had no flare-ups. My doctor told me it is fine for long-term use, and as of right now, September 2011, he has no plans to take me off it. The only side effect I have experienced is some muscle stiffness."

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2008

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "After one year of fairly significant ulcerative colitis symptoms, I began taking Lialda. It began working almost immediately. Within a week, I started feeling like my old self again. The only changes I've noticed (unsure if they are side effects or new problems) are tingling in my legs (like restless leg syndrome), sinus issues, sore throat, and trouble falling asleep."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "Mesalamine was great for me. I could finally stop taking more aggressive treatments such as Humira or steroids. I like it because it has worked wonders. Been taking it for a year now, feel better than ever. I have not had any side effects. I feel like I can put Crohn's in the back of my mind now. Hopefully for a while at least. Hope everyone reading this finds a treatment that works."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I am a 25-year-old female who was diagnosed with Crohn's almost 2 months ago. Pentasa has helped to relieve the very severe stomach cramping I was experiencing before my diagnosis. This is the first treatment my doctor has given me, but after a month of taking 4-250 mg capsules 4 times a day (in combination with Budesonide 9 mg), I finally feel comfortable after eating. I'm not noticing any side effects yet. Maybe I'm lucky, though, after reading some of these other reviews. I wish I didn't have to take 16 of them each day, but to be able to stand up after a meal is wonderful for someone who used to keel over screaming and crying with a rock-hard stomach after eating."

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This is my third flare after being diagnosed with UC almost 5 years ago, so I consider myself lucky. I take oral mesalamine, which is becoming less effective against flare-ups. My GI prescribed Rowasa, much to my dismay. It took 4 nights before I got the hang of administering the medication. Retaining it night 1 was almost unbearable. Night 2 was easier, but no less unpleasant. It helps to lay on your left side for 20+ minutes. I haven't had an issue with leakage or side effects, other than the urge to have a bowel movement and really loud gurgling in my lower colon. Faint nausea that passed in less than a minute. But the benefits far outweigh everything - my flare-up has diminished so much in the last 5 days!"

• spe...
• May 19, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2008, treating it with Canasa and Proctofoam. It reoccurred in 2010, which had to be treated aggressively with prednisone, Asacol HD, Proctofoam, and Canasa. I did not continue taking the Asacol HD because of the price. My ulcerative colitis reoccurred again in 2011. Currently, I am taking prednisone plus 3 Asacol HD a day and am very satisfied with the medicine. No side effects for me. Once the prednisone is finished, it's Asacol HD forever to prevent flare-ups/maintenance. Great medicine."