Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ano...
• August 9, 2017

Mesalamine "I was diagnosed with indeterminate UC in February 2017. Since then, I am taking Asacol 800 mg, 3 tablets a day. I am not sure, but I think that the flaking rashes on my face are due to this medicine's side effect. And they hardly ever disappear. And when they do, I have them back after a few days. I was prescribed different products, none of them worked. Never had this issue before, only after I started taking Asacol."

• Car...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2018

Mesalamine "I've used this drug for several years. It was first prescribed under the name Asacol. Delzicol is exactly the same drug but is delivered in a different capsule. I suspect that before the patent expires on April 13, 2020, the greedy pharmaceutical company will find a new method to deliver the same drug, thereby killing any chance of a generic becoming available. I'm fortunate to have a Medicare plan that covers this drug with a $45.00 copay. However, when I reach the donut hole at the end of the year, the copay is close to $400. But even that beats the price of over $600.00 retail. The good news is that the drug does work for me. I hope others are relieved as well."

• Djt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2020

"I've been on mesalamine for a week for microscopic colitis. My bathroom runs have increased to 20 times a day. I can't sleep because when I lay down, it is bathroom time! I've been so exhausted, I have been sleeping an average of 12 hours a day, and I have a constant headache. Add on a bit of a fever, and my butt feels like someone blowtorched it. The meds are worse than the disease for me right now, so I am going to try steroids, though they are bank-breaking. If it actually helps, better than mesalamine, worth it."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2019

"My GI specialist has recently put me on mesalamine, and a few years ago I tried sulfasalazine. Unfortunately, both gave me terrible migraines. My neurologist told me they both can cause headaches, but for me, it’s extreme pain from migraines. I can’t tolerate these meds and don’t know what other options there are without steroids or immune suppressant drugs."

• twi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2019

Mesalamine "I am 58 and have had colitis for 16 years. I take Asacol every day, two to three times daily, and I do not get any side effects, but I do not find they help when it flares up, but keeps it under control when trying to get on with life!!! My flare-up has lasted three months as yet, but I am told it will go!!!"

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 5, 2021

Mesalamine "Been on Pentasa for a couple of years. Everything is great. Had a bit of a relapse, so I was prescribed Pentasa as a suppository. Worked immediately on the first one and have been absolutely fine for over a year. Can eat what I want and drink in moderation. Everything is normal. Do not hesitate, it gives you your life back!!"

• Kat...
• August 9, 2018

Mesalamine "I have had UC since I was 14 and now 64. Have had numerous flare-ups through this period, but have been very well looked after by consultants and have regular check-ups. Been well for years now, but am now experiencing a bout of I think proctitis, mucus, and wind and running to the toilet. Not due to the consultant for a few months. Started taking Asacol foam enema and am obviously intolerant, as it does not stay in and causes even more mucus. Need to change enemas. Had this now for a few months, need to change to Prednisolone enema. Or has anyone else found something that works well? A call to the consultant is required, I think."

• Llg...
• May 17, 2018

Mesalamine "I have been taking Lialda for years, and it works, but here’s the thing: I also get migraines to a ridiculous degree, so I was forced to cut back my dose. So for me, at least, the very high dose, or what they call a therapeutic level, is unnecessary. I’m in a maintenance space where I honestly only need it every other day. I usually get the beginnings of a migraine about an hour after I take it, but the migraine doesn’t become full-blown on the lesser dose, but the medicine does its job. Looks like my UC became Crohn’s over time because I also have irritation in my mouth and all sorts of skin spots (look like bug bites but aren’t), and interestingly, when I have a flare of any kind, if I take two single pills for two days in a row, it almost always goes away. Thought I’d say it because the higher doses are completely intolerable for me, but I don’t really need it like that. I use the co-pay assist card, which makes a big difference."

• Roy...
• July 26, 2015

Mesalamine "Over the last 6 months since I was diagnosed with UC, I've tried as much as 4.8 g/day of Asacol: alone, with prednisone, with Imuran, IV steroids, and enema cortisol. So far, I've only had luck with the prednisone. This stuff does not work at all for me."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 14, 2020

"Generic mesalamine helps reduce my UC symptoms. Spicy foods, fatty foods, alcohol, and especially stress cause outbreaks. Mesalamine acts to coat the bowel and makes passing waste smoother and less of an ordeal. I don't know of any side effects. I also use generic gas relief (found at Kroger) containing simethicone 180 mg. This helps reduce the horrid smell of flatulence during an attack. Combined with a careful diet, calming your mind, and normal sleep, mesalamine can be most effective. And it's not costly. Be well."

• Xoo...
• March 19, 2015

"I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 38, started on Asacol pills for about 4 years with several side effects, including distinctive darkening of the blood. I was told by a family friend that the condition could potentially be harmful to internal organs. I asked GI to switch me to Canasa suppositories (mesalamine). I noticed a significant difference with more energy and fewer UC problems. I have been on the Canasa for about 10 years now, and I have been able to reduce from once a day (1000 mg suppository) to as needed only (2-3 times a week). I don't like taking meds at all, so I have been changing my diet to natural organic whole foods, veggies, nuts, and grains, juicing, etc."

• abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 3, 2023

"Taking four 0.375g caps daily has kept the UC in check perfectly. I have had practically no side effects, except the unusual vacuum that's formed in my wallet, which neither science nor my doctor can explain."

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 21, 2024

"I have been taking Mesalamine for almost 4 years for my collagenous colitis. This medication has been a lifesaver for me. I have not had any side effects from taking this medication. I take 2 tablets. Each tablet is 1.2 gm. This dosage keeps my diarrhea under control."

• Rea...
• February 6, 2020

"Supposedly diagnosed with segmental colitis, and after my colonoscopy, I was started on Lialda. Now, 6 months later, I have seen no improvement, however, I think I am experiencing bloating, knee pain, and I am still bleeding. My doctor suggested prednisone. At this point, my trust in her is gone, and I decided to stop the medication. 6 months of bleeding, numerous calls to her office/visits, and a ton of blood work, and nothing has changed. Side effects can be increased bleeding."

• UC1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2016

Mesalamine "I have been on Salofalk since I was diagnosed with UC 18 months ago. Over that time, I've had about 8 courses of prednisone. Every time I come off prednisone and rely solely on Salofalk, I get another flare. I'm currently on 1500 mg/day of Salofalk. Even after being hospitalized and pumped full of steroids, which resulted in no symptoms (and normal bowel movements - YAY!), the Salofalk couldn't keep me there :("

• Jon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2020

"I think that the mesalamine from Mylan was totally ineffective - it is the M1200 version. My pharmacy switched me over to this from Lialda without my permission. 3 months later, I had a serious UC (Ulcerative Colitis) flare-up without any other conditions that would have caused that."

• bek...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2024

"After one week, passing of dark blood clots completely eliminated. Also, bleeding, which was significant, has been reduced to a slight amount of red blood after a bowel movement -- otherwise completely eliminated. No side effects. Taking two 1.2-gram tablets once a day with breakfast."

• Asa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 19, 2024

"Been on Asacol for over 19 years, 800 mg tab. Dr. always wanted me to take 4 tabs a day. Only one for me. After I started remission in 2019 after being in a trial med program 4 different times, the last drug that worked great was Budesonide ER 9 mg tab OCE -- was a sub -- for Uceris 9 mg tab. After trial, the drug that worked and had stopped all symptoms, I only take one a day as before. Now my company's drug insurance switched to a company that denied coverage for Asacol. Looking for sub drug now. Asacol very expensive and only cheap if ordered out of Canada. Asacol worked good, had no side effects."

• Kpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2018

"This medicine caused multiple side effects for me. My UC never went into remission being on 2.8 grams a day. Even though the pros may outweigh the cons at the time you are deciding to put mesalamine in your body, you may have wished you never did."

• Tom...
• July 9, 2011

"I got polyps in my colon. It's too big to cut it off by colonoscopy. I have to go for the surgery. After the surgery, my doctor gave me 6 pills a day (mesalamine). It seems like this medicine works for me, BUT THE ONLY PROBLEM SIDE EFFECT I HAVE IS my hand and fingers are stiff. I wake up in the morning, my hand is tight and stiff. I have to massage a little bit in order to get it better. Both hands, after massage, are normal but cannot hold any object tight enough."

• Mes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2022

Mesalamine "Generally, it has been good. Since starting it, I have never had a bad experience regarding the disease, but of late, I have been feeling occasionally itchy and wondering if it is the disease or the drug."

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 21, 2023

"I have been taking mesalamine, two 800 mg pills, three times a day. This past year I have noticed that a lot of these pills are going through my digestive system without dissolving. I am still having flare-ups every few months."

• hap...
• August 8, 2010

Mesalamine "Took for 9 months for maintenance of ulcerative colitis. I now have kidney damage. Please make sure your doctor checks kidney function regularly while taking this."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Mesalamine "It takes my colitis pain away and aids me in decreasing my flare-ups, but the side effects are lower back pain and tiredness. I only use it when I have to."

• J C...
• July 31, 2008

Mesalamine "I have had ulcerative colitis for 13 years. Asacol is good for maintenance of active ulcerative colitis."