Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance User Reviews

• Regai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2019

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I'm 24 years old and my Crohn's is continuously getting worse. Every year I look more pale and more like a skeleton. When I eat food, it goes through me within an hour. I use the bathroom every time I eat. I've been dizzy with no energy. I started taking Pentasa 2 months ago. I have never felt dizzy since, the color is coming back to my skin. I've gained a little bit of weight, and I only use the bathroom once a day. I haven't been taking the drug very long, but so far it seems to be my lifesaver!"

• Mack
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2019

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I’m 19 and turning 20. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s last March and was taking Pentasa, and it works great, but when I switched to United Healthcare, they wouldn’t cover it. They then prescribed me Apriso. If your Crohn’s is specific to your small intestine and not your colon, please don’t take Apriso. Apriso is meant to target your colon. I went back to the hospital for the third time because of it, so it was decided that I should go back onto Pentasa. It really works for those who aren’t sure about it. It really does. I was in severe pain for months until Pentasa. It’s kept the pain away and let me get back to a normal diet. For those who were on Pentasa and were forced to change medication due to insurance, you can dispute to your insurance that you need it. It took 2 months to do it for me, but it worked out. My insurance now will cover it. Good luck to those with Crohn’s and/or are having trouble finding medication or can’t take Pentasa anymore."

• Trish
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 13, 2020

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Pentasa for Crohn's. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2001. I have been taking Pentasa for over ten years, and I find it works well. I was taking Asacol, but I found them hard to swallow. I could not swallow Pentasa either, and dissolving in my throat was a real problem, so a few years ago, I started dissolving them in water and adding yogurt or jam. Amazingly, it did the trick. I haven't had any problems with my Crohn's for many years."

• Acem
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I was diagnosed in 1983 with Crohn’s at age 19. That triggered a “preexisting condition,” which led to me being uninsured for 30 years. As my disease progressed, it felt like I was going through a colonoscopy prep every day of my life. Bloody diarrhea constantly, so much I had to stop working. I started on Pentasa about a month ago, and for the first time in 30 years, I have had solid BMs and no bleeding. It’s like a miracle drug for me. The doctor wants me to take it as a suppository at night along with 500 mg capsules 3 times a day. The capsules cost $250/month copay ($2,500 regular price), but Medicare won’t cover the suppositories, which are $9,000! Who can afford that? The main side effect of this drug, for me, is bankruptcy. Other than that, it works great."

• happy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 5, 2012

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Totally awesome. I was diagnosed over 25 years ago with Crohn's. I take 1000mg 3 times a day of Pentasa and 50mg of mercaptopurine once a day, and I have only had 2 flare-ups. With proper diet, exercise, and medications taken as directed daily on a regular schedule, remission and a normal life are possible."

• MissT
• December 2, 2015

Pentasa (mesalamine) "This medicine is the best thing that ever could happen for me. I'm able to eat without it running back out the next 10 minutes. I have gained weight, now I'm worried about gaining too much weight from all the eating I do. I should have started taking it last year, but I was worried about the side effects. But no side effects."

• colten
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2016

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I was recently diagnosed with Crohn's, having painful cramps, bloody stool, and diarrhea. My 2nd day being on Pentasa, I ate Taco Bell (which most people with Crohn's will tell you almost kills you, haha!) I had absolutely no cramps or diarrhea!!! I'm on week 2, taking 500 mg 4 times a day, and I'm still feeling great! No cramps whatsoever! The only symptoms I've noticed were slight chest tightness the first couple of days, slight weight loss, increased appetite, and a little bit of my hair falling out. I started taking folic acid to help with the hair loss."

• mareyj
• January 20, 2015

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I am 67 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's at age 50. I have taken Pentasa for 16 years. I took 4x250 mg three times daily and experienced chest pains. I cut it to 3x250 mg three times daily, and that took care of the chest pains. I am a fairly petite woman, so that could be a factor. I have had flare-ups but generally have done great. I tried cutting back myself, and each time had severe pain, vomiting, etc. I now know not to cut back. I hope to continue on Pentasa."

• J Mcc...
• June 19, 2013

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Was diagnosed about 1 year after an emergency surgery for a mass in my colon due to a buildup of scar tissue from inflammation. After a couple of months of 500 mg 3X a day, frequency of flare-ups were greatly reduced. Only had 2 noticeable symptoms, one of weight gain and an elevated liver function test. My dosage was reduced to 2X a day, and liver function is normal, but weight gain is still an issue. Diet and stress level seem to be the most important factors in controlling flare-ups."

• Wewil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 27, 2018

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I am unable to purchase my pentasa 500 Mg that I have been taking affordably for over 30 years. The Affordable Health Care Act we have today is very misleading. The price went from $300.00 for 90 day to $1,556.00 for the same. Please Americans are suffering without their meds!!!!"

• Hotmo...
• January 28, 2014

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I was diagnosed in 2013 with Crohn's. Pentasa has relieved my symptoms greatly. I take 500 mg 4 times a day. I find it works better for me when I take it with food. My only side effect is night quivers. Other than this, Pentasa works wonders. It's well worth my $55 copayment each month."

• Mark...
• May 20, 2017

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I've been taking Pentasa for several years. I remember vividly having to go to the bathroom several times a day. I have to go just once a day, maybe once every other day since taking Pentasa. My dosage is two 500 mg capsules four times a day. The only side effect I have experienced is passing gas considerably."

• Gordon...
• November 2, 2016

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I'm a 47-year-old male and have had Crohn's now for 17 years. I've been taking one sachet of Pentasa in the morning after breakfast. I realize I'm pretty lucky as I lead a normal life, enjoying a pint or two with a curry, etc. My only issue from time to time is painful cramps from my back passage, this happens during the night and can last anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour. This happens maybe once every 2 months. I have not had any surgery, so I'm very grateful for Pentasa, as it seems to keep my Crohn's at bay. I'm from Scotland and get my medication prescription free."

• Fiona...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 12, 2013

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I take 1000 mg 2x a day along with Humira every two weeks. The combination works very well for me, and I'm healthier than I've been in years. The only significant side effect for me has been anxiety. I am told it is not a side effect, but I've been off and on Pentasa over the years, and the 3-year stretch where I was off completely, my anxiety went away entirely. It wasn't until I went back on Pentasa that I made the connection."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2010

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Pentasa is the only drug I take, and it works great! Never have had any side effects. I was in horrible pain from the cramping until I started taking it over a year ago. I am very pleased with this medicine."

• Bud
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 10, 2019

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I am 70. I was diagnosed with Crohns disease three years ago after I had severe rectal bleeding for the third time in three months. I was put on Prednisone for four weeks then 6-MP. A week later I ended up in the ER. It took the hospital six days to find out what was wrong with me but finally diagnosed sepsis. The 6-MP was replaced with Budesonide for a month then I began taking two Pentasa pills four times a day. The Pentasa seems to be working perfectly. I have a few minor side effects but some or all may come from by heart medicines."

• TikiT...
• February 1, 2013

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I've just started Pentasa, and so far, so good, I think! I was diagnosed when I was 19, and now I'm 32. I was on Asacol for most of that time, but my doctor felt it was no longer working the way it needed to! I ended up in the hospital for 2 days due to severe dehydration 2 weeks ago! I had also lost 30 lbs in the last 2 months. I have actually been able to eat the last couple of days, and I'm not feeling the pain from eating!"

• Anonymous
• December 26, 2011

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I'm a 25-year-old female. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in August 2011. I had a bowel resection at the end of September due to the severity of my illness. I've been taking Pentasa for about 3 months now and feel good, but my hair has been falling out like crazy. I read a normal person loses 50-100 strands a day, I'm losing probably triple that. It's really depressing. I'm switching to another medicine to see if that helps with the hair loss. Other than that, I haven't had any side effects. Good luck!"

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

Pentasa (mesalamine) "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.500mg and my stomach calms down within 10 minutes. I have no idea why it works for me, a Crohns 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."

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

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I have been taking 4 x Pentasa 500mg 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 has 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've 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."

• walki...
• October 27, 2015

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I have started the Pentasa. It has given me the 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."

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2011

Pentasa (mesalamine) "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."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2012

Pentasa (mesalamine) "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!"

• Juvy...
• November 20, 2017

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I'm a Filipina 44 years old and was diagnosed of crohn's in 2014. I've been taking pentasa tabs and suppository as well. My first 6 months was four pentasa 500mg tablets twice a day and 1 suppository before bedtime. There was an improvement I had less diarhea and crampness of stomach. I maintained taking pentasa for 2 years and reduced the dosage until I took two 500mg pentasa a day and 1 suppository. Since I feel better. I decided to stop taking med. Now I'm 3 years with out taking any medicine and starting again with diarrhea with a bloody stool. Maybe I need to start back on pentasa again.."

• remco
• February 17, 2009

Pentasa (mesalamine) "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."