Lialda for Ulcerative Colitis, Active User Reviews (Page 2)

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

"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."

• tpk...
• June 9, 2015

"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."

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

"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!"

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

"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."

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2008

"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."

• Ofl...
• March 25, 2016

"I have been on Lialda for almost a month and take 1200 mg twice a day. Has helped, but my hair is falling out, and I hope it stops soon. I also can't sleep. I am awake until 3 AM and then will doze for about 45 minutes. I like the medication, but not sleeping is a real pain."

• MS ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2013

"My daughter takes Lialda for severe Ulcerative Colitis. If the cost is a problem, talk with your doctor for a discount card through the company. When added to your insurance, it only costs about $10, with my insurance, it's $40. If no insurance, I believe it's about $40 a month, not sure, doesn't hurt to check out. The card is good for a year, and you have to call to renew it at no cost. She started taking 4 pills a day, and last summer her doctor dropped her down to 1. Since then, over a period of 5 months, it's back with a vengeance: severe bleeding and pain."

• Pac...
• March 29, 2008

"I've taken Lialda for about a month for my UC using doctor samples. It has reduced my flare-ups, although it does take a while and does not work overnight, it seems to be working for me. I want to continue taking Lialda and have a prescription from my doctor but can't seem to find a pharmacy that carries it. My overall rating of Lialda is high because it was working, at least for me. I would suggest finding out if you can get Lialda in your area before consideration."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2010

"I started taking Lialda 4 months ago for ulcerative colitis after having taken Asacol for a number of years. I have been in remission for a long time, doing reasonably well, but for some reason my doctor wanted me to try Lialda. It has been so nice to only take 2 a day as opposed to 6 of the Asacol a day, and I have had more normal body functions than I have ever had. The only problem, my prescription drug insurance, Medco Health, has removed Lialda from their formulary list. I am really upset about that. I don't know why unless it's because it's so expensive. I guess I'm going to be forced to go back on Asacol....."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2010

"I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis a year ago after suffering for months. Lialda worked to stop my diarrhea practically overnight. I have not had a flare or really any symptoms since starting this medication nearly a year ago. I highly recommend it. Much better than taking Asacol four times a day. Once a day, Lialda is much better."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

"Lialda works great. No rectal bleeding. No side effects. I started taking it for 4 months and decided to quit taking it after 4 months to see what happens. Never had problems. Haven't gone back to the doctor since."

• bmr...
• October 10, 2011

"I've been on Lialda for about 3 weeks, and it's not working at all for me. I feel like I have the flu every day, and the severe headache is unreal. I am still bloated and still not going to the bathroom."

• txl...
• September 4, 2010

"I have very mild left-sided ulcerative colitis, diagnosed in 1998. I have been taking Lialda for a little over 2 years. I was really bad about taking my previous medicines due to the high number of pills and frequency that I had to take them. I've found that Lialda works TOO well for me. I cannot take the 2 pills 1x daily. With my doctor's blessing, I take 1 pill every 3 days, and my ulcerative colitis stays under control with no side effects that others have spoken of (and this is from a migraine and seasonal allergy patient). This medicine is the BEST."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2011

"I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis for nearly 3 years. I take 3 pills a day. Initially, I was prescribed 4 pills, but did have an increase in headaches. But, just dropping to 3 pills alleviated the headaches, and my proctitis is well managed. I have needed to do bouts of prednisone 2 times, but overall, Lialda has worked for me."

• cha...
• November 14, 2010

"I am a male, age 30, and I was diagnosed with pan colitis 3 years ago. Once I changed my diet (no lactose, less fast food, no sodas), it has seemed to be only confined to my left side. I have had a few flare-ups each year but have always used prednisone each time. This works great for my UC but makes me a grump, I gain weight, get acne, etc. Each time (3-4 times) I have tried Asacol or Lialda, it flushes out my colon with severe diarrhea to the point it is fluid only, and each time I have stopped taking it because of the adverse reactions. Currently, I am in a flare to the point of seeing blood, and I do not want to have to start on prednisone again. So now I am on day 5 of taking Lialda, and the diarrhea has been less each day. Hopefully, I will stop seeing blood soon."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2010

"Only been on it for a week, but my fairly severe ulcerative colitis symptoms have fully subsided. I am taking 1.2g 2 x day. I also started 1200mg of slippery elm and turmeric 2 days after starting the Lialda."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

"I was only able to take Lialda for one week and had severe headaches causing tenderness in the lower bottom of my head, blurred vision, and vomiting when the headache worsened. It worked, and I was feeling almost 90% back to normal, however, the headaches worsened, and I had to discontinue."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2008

"Lialda has given me a decent quality of life again. I've suffered relentlessly for 20 years and finally found a great doctor who gave me this medication. It's not an overnight fix. I've been taking it for 3 months, and it has fixed what I thought was permanently my lot in life. What a fantastic medication!"

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2011

"I was worried to be on a medication such as Lialda on its strongest dosage (4 pills a day). My doctor told me to have all 4 in the morning with food. The combination of the Lialda and Canasa suppository at night helped my symptoms within days. I was blood-free for two weeks but now notice some blood again. I'm really frustrated and hope this is just going to take more time and not mean that I have to try something stronger."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2010

"I have microscopic colitis. Lialda works great, but the only major drawback is the expense. $191 every two weeks. My insurance dropped me, and that cost is with a local pharmacy prescription discount card. At this rate, I will be unable to keep up with it."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2009

"I have taken Lialda for 3 weeks and not much improvement. My doctor increased my intake to 3 pills every day and started me on prednisone. In my opinion, prednisone will do most of the work. I do not plan on taking Lialda long term because of side effects of headache, cramping, bloating, etc. This pill does not work fast enough."

• 5jl...
• March 23, 2009

"I have been taking Lialda for over three months. I have lymphatic colitis. I was taking 3 pills once daily, now I am taking two. I had horrible side effects when I first started taking the medication - severe cluster headaches, nausea, and numbness in my face. The effects eventually wore off after a week. I still feel like I am not right though, but my doctor has encouraged me to continue to take the drug for at least a year. I also have panic disorder, which got worse than ever after I started taking Lialda. I finally got back on Effexor. I have lost weight. The colitis started getting better with the Effexor."

• Mik...
• January 2, 2018

"It has seemed to help me a lot, but it’s whopping expensive. I lucked out on samples and mfg coupons for half a year, then got eaten up by expenses. I like this version much better than the Asacol I had years ago, which caused discomfort and terrible urinary stains from residue. So far with Lialda, the drug seems more concentrated or time-released, with no residue in urine."

• AGi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 26, 2017

"I've been on Lialda since diagnosis nearly 10 years ago. I started with 2x a day and progressed to 4x a day about 4 years ago. A month ago, I had a bad flare and am now on 6x a day for a couple days + casana (sp?). Which is essentially the same drug, only in suppository. It's already working to clear up my flare, but I'm experiencing acne and jumbled thoughts. Can't wait to drop the suppository once this is under control, hopefully in 1-2 weeks. I don't know how 'Iowa' cured themselves with diet -- I tried that, and Lialda seriously changed my life."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2023

"First diagnosed December 15, 2022, with pancolitis. Prescribed Lialda, two pills two times a day, and prednisone taper for a month. Within a week, symptoms went away, and I felt the best I had felt in years. After two months, symptoms started coming back, and I’ve currently been in a flare-up for about six weeks with diarrhea and blood and just finished another month of prednisone with no good results. My G.I. doctor is talking about putting me on immune suppressors, but I’m not so sure I’m ready to start that yet. I’m thinking about switching over to sulfasalazine or some other type of medicine before I do immune suppressors. The only side effects that I’ve experienced are mild headaches from time to time."