Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

Mesalamine "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."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2009

Mesalamine "I was diagnosed with Crohn's at 41 and have been taking this medication since then (approximately 2 years). It has worked perfectly for me, and I have had no flare-ups or side effects. I currently take 2 tablets 3 times a day. I now have my life back."

• Rit...
• April 26, 2017

Mesalamine "I have been taking Pentasa for 10 years and it has relieved all cramps and distensions. I'm able to lead my life comfortably now. Only recently, I have developed rashes all over and want to know if anyone else is facing the same way."

• Nen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 25, 2014

Mesalamine "I used to be on Asacol 400 mg, but they stopped making it or something. So, I've been on Asacol HD 800 mg for about a year. I think it's the best for me because I really haven't had any severe or major side effects from the medicine. It is doing the job it is supposed to do. I've been taking Asacol for over 20 years. Never had to try anything else, but for some reason they want me to try Imuran, and I don't like what the reviews are saying about it. Like they say, if it's not broke, don't fix it. Overall, I've had some flares over the 20 years, but nothing is worth me having to get used to another medicine."

• red...
• December 26, 2009

Mesalamine "My husband has only been taking Pentasa for a few days, but he has had terrible side effects since day one. His Crohn's had become progressively worse over the years, so his GI doctor prescribed Pentasa. He has chest pains, headaches, severe nausea and vomiting, as well as loss of appetite. I saw that one person had to lower his dose after 3 weeks, and I wonder if that was due to his experience of these effects also. I know Pentasa has great potential, but how long will these effects last?"

• bel...
• March 31, 2015

Mesalamine "My main symptoms were diarrhea and bloody mucus stools. Once on Pentasa 4g a day, the symptoms had stopped. Until a month ago, where they began, along with a lot of wind. Was using suppositories as well, initially 1, then 2 per day. I've stopped taking all medication till I see my specialist. So far, symptoms are on worse-better, if anything. No longer running to the toilet all day. I've had colitis for less than a year. I'm 35."

• Sco...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2018

Mesalamine "I am 65 years old and have had Crohn's since I was 19. I have tried different meds, but over the last 20 years, I have been very happy with 2, 500 mg of Pentasa daily. It keeps me out of the hospital and maintains my condition to the point I can live with it. However, now that I am on Medicare and have lost my drug coverage, the cost has gone from $400 for a 3-month supply to $1500 for the same 3-month supply. I asked my doctor about trying another drug, it calls for 9, 750 mg pills a day, so here goes, wish me luck."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2009

Mesalamine "Asacol had no impact on my Crohn's flare-ups at all. Until the biologic medicines came out, I had no relief at all. I suggest starting with a mild drug like this but to realize that there are so many more options available today if this does not help."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 22, 2020

Mesalamine "I'm a 51-year-old male from Scotland and was diagnosed with Crohn's at 30. I take 1 sachet of Pentasa in the morning, and it has been keeping everything at bay. I can have a pint or two and can eat what I like with no effects. I can suffer cramps in my back passage through the night, which lasts about 15-30 minutes every 2 to 3 months. Also, losing my hair and on blood pressure tablets. This is side effects of Pentasa."

• Gig...
• February 25, 2010

Mesalamine "I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2005 after having years of severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramping, and nausea. After a few weeks of taking the Pentasa (4 grams daily), I felt unbelievably better. Within the last year, I have had lots of breakthrough flares and have had to add other meds (6-MP and Humira shots). I have had an active flare since mid-December with no relief. I have reduced my Pentasa to 2 grams a day because I had noticed that my nausea and other symptoms were more severe on the 4 grams. Even though I feel better, my symptoms have not improved enough, and I have to now add Remicade infusion therapy to my long list of meds. I think that these meds are helpful as long as they are adjusted depending on your symptoms."

• Bs ...
• May 17, 2009

Mesalamine "My son has Crohn's disease and has done very well on the Asacol. He has no complaints and shows no side effects. He has taken as many as nine tablets per day at one time. I've been very happy with the results, reducing his bouts of diarrhea drastically."

• Sar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 6, 2021

Mesalamine "500 mg x 4. Took it for the duration of the disease (30 years). My GI was negligent. The disease was never fully active in her care. Early on, she expressed doubt that I had Crohn’s disease until pathology came back positive. The disease became active after 28 years of mild inflammation. GI dismissed my complaints (only believes colonoscopy, referred back to the last colonoscopy as evidence) until a new colonoscopy revealed a fistula. Referred to a new GI who said I had never been treated for Crohn’s disease because Pentasa doesn’t work for fistulizing Crohn’s. Inflammatory polyps were present and removed at every single colonoscopy with the negligent GI. The new GI used biologic, zero inflammation at colonoscopy. Pentasa - easy to take. Does nothing for your Crohn’s. Inflammatory polyps should not exist if treatment is working. It isn’t preventing inflammation if you have inflammation."

• Jax...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 11, 2022

Mesalamine "Diagnosed with UC at 21/22 years old. As the disease progressed, the updated diagnosis to Crohn's disease. Daily dosages of Asacol HD 800 since the medication was manufactured. 2021-2022 medication difficult to locate. Recently, without medication for 14 days, Crohn's symptoms started to appear, sending me between the bathroom and bed. Ate baby food. Obtained medication on the 15th day, and symptoms subsided. Now, eating normally within one week. Dosage 3x a day without food. Crohn's in remission as medication stops inflammation."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2017

Mesalamine "Well, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 29... but the doctors thought I had it before then, I was pregnant, and it laid dormant for about a year. My intestines burst one year ago, and I had to have bowel resection...20 inches and my appendix. After all that, they put me on steroids and Pentasa, two 500 mg, three times a day. At first, I did okay with it, but I'm horrible at taking medicine, so I started decreasing the amount that I took. The doctor is not thrilled, of course, but now that I haven't taken it for a while, I feel no different than when I'm on it. I have diarrhea anytime I eat and occasional gas with pain, but that's it... I'm lucky, I know, and still not sure if I'm making the right choice, but meds are $70/mo."

• Buz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 22, 2016

Mesalamine "I was on Pentasa for 19 years, but every time I had a colonoscopy, the Crohn's was progressing. I finally ended up in the hospital with a severe inflammation. I was told by two GI docs that the Pentasa was probably not working, but back in 1997, except for 6MP, they really had no other alternative. Two months ago, I switched to Humira. Many more side effects than Pentasa, however."

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2010

Mesalamine "Had Crohn's/colitis for years, been on Asacol for the past 16 years, started with three pills three times daily for almost a year, then 3 tablets twice daily with breakfast and dinner. Still have few flares, but otherwise decent. No side effects."

• Lor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2016

Mesalamine "Diagnosed with Crohn's at 42. Took Asacol till a couple of years ago. It was no longer available. Now on Asacol HD. Works well and no flares in 2 years. Price is expensive. Our insurance just sent us a letter they will no longer cover it starting next month. Gastro doc will be switching me to another name brand (Lialda). I hope it works the same!"

• Min...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 2, 2022

Mesalamine "I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1994. Over the first couple of years, I bounced around on Prednisone, Metronidazole, and a few other things. After a year, a new GI put me on Pentasa. I started at 1 gm each morning and night and have since reduced to 750 mg morning and night. By avoiding trigger foods, reducing stress, and getting plenty of exercise - my Crohn's is reasonably controlled. I haven't even had a significant flare in 5 years. I have experienced just about zero side effects other than some increased sun sensitivity. My old GI spent 15 years trying to convince me that Pentasa does not work and I should try one of the expensive biologicals with a plethora of side effects. My new GI is happy to see that I am doing well with minimal therapy. My insurance is currently bugging me to try the new Pentasa generic. They charge me $40 a month more to have Pentasa. I need to get my GI's opinion."

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2016

Mesalamine "Switched from Pentasa, which I was throwing up or having it come out in bits in my stool (not absorbed). Salofalk is easier to swallow and has kept me in remission, although how much of it is due to the drug and not just avoiding stress, which triggers my symptoms, I don't know. It is coated better than Pentasa, and the oblong shape works better for swallowing, as they are not small."

• Cro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2023

Mesalamine "Pentasa has helped with the inflammation of my early stage Crohn’s. I take 2 tablets three times a day. I still have flares on occasion, and I have had some side effects, but nothing too difficult to manage. Mostly, this drug is very expensive, and my insurance company won’t cover it, so I have to order it from a Canadian drug company. I wish this was more affordable!"

• Bra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 27, 2022

Mesalamine "Salofalk I got first in the hospital while I was on Pentasa at home. Found it easier to swallow. I requested to be switched so I could swallow it (even when later developing a non-related swallowing disorder). Does not show up in bits in my stool (not absorbed) like Pentasa did. So far, it has kept me in remission. Went from 2 pills 3 times a day to 2 pills twice a day to now only 2 pills in the morning."

• Med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2022

Mesalamine "Just diagnosed with Crohn’s disease about two weeks ago. Have suspected it for some time, due to intense pain and cramping after eating, a bowel obstruction, and a fairly sizable weight loss (over about a 4-month period). My GI doc started me on Pentasa, 4 pills twice a day to see how I respond. So far, so good. No ill side effects to speak of. It’s nice to finally be able to eat food without pain and cramping. Taking it combined with prednisone (steroids for about 7 more weeks). Fingers crossed it continues to look up and be positive from here. Thankfully, I have good health insurance and get a 90-day supply for cheap because I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t."

• cro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 12, 2024

Mesalamine "I have had a good experience with Pentasa. I have been on 4g a day for the last 10 years for Crohn's disease. I don't think I have any major side effects. I have been in remission, blood and scope wise, for years. I do have some symptoms, like cramps and upset stomach every now and then, and have to pace myself sometimes, but overall I'm happy with it. It's not completely perfect symptom wise, but I can live a decent life with it, so all good."

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2022

"I just turned 25 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease from a colonoscopy. I was a bit shocked at the diagnosis at first because I had been told since I was 18 years old that I just had IBS, gluten intolerance, and dairy intolerance. I suffered on and off with horrible symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. I thought that I would just have to deal with these symptoms for the rest of my life until I was prescribed mesalamine. I take 2 pills in the morning, with or without food, and I can eat without having any IBS/Crohn’s symptoms. I have no side effects with the medication. I never take the time to write a review for a medication, but I want people to know that you can be symptom-free without taking a medication that causes more side effects than relief! I hope that this medicine can help others the way it helped me."

• Gaz...
• May 4, 2016

Mesalamine "This drug Pentasa is the worst drug that I have ever taken. I had severe vomiting, at least over 20 times in the space of 3 to 4 hours, and severe diarrhea, which was even worse. This occurred every 20 minutes or less sometimes, but no bloody [unintelligible] that I was aware of. So people be warned, this drug is crap. It really is."