Lialda and Headaches: What Users Say

• Luc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 26, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis "I started taking Lialda in April 2015, 4 tablets a day for my ulcerative colitis. After being sick for many months and in and out of the emergency room, I was ready for something that would help me get my life back. I was having diarrhea with blood multiple times a day, along with abdominal pain and cramps, and down to 106 pounds. Lialda started working almost instantly for me. Within a week, I was no longer having any loose stools, blood, and my pain level was down 80%. I had some side effects such as headaches, chills, fatigue, and dizziness; a small price to pay for how much Lialda helped me and saved my life. I was able to slowly decrease my dose to 2 tablets a day, then 1, and now none. I gained weight and started to feel more like myself again. For me personally, it was a great experience that was worth any side effects that eventually went away after my body was used to the medication. I would definitely recommend Lialda; maybe it can help you like it helped me."

• Bos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2015

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I take Lialda 3.6 g each morning, which cleared up my diarrhea and bloody stool, but I have had neurological side effects of headaches, fatigue, and slow thinking, and abdominal pain, gas, and bloating as well. I'm too scared to switch to other meds despite an Asacol prescription, given the risk of flare-ups when meds change, but I don't want the mental haziness for the rest of my life."

• Ano...
• April 7, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was diagnosed with moderate to severe universal colitis on 3/27. I was prescribed Lialda and take 4 pills a day as well as 1 Uceris. I am not exaggerating when I say the relief was almost instant! Within 3 days, I went from urgently using the bathroom 5 - 6 times a day with unbearable abdominal cramps to using the bathroom once a day with no cramps! The only side effects I have noticed so far are slight headaches, occasional trouble sleeping, and more frequent urination, which I will take over my colitis symptoms any day :) Lialda seriously has changed my life in the short 2 weeks I've been taking it ——————————————————— 19 years old Moderate to severe universal colitis Flare started: May 2016 Diagnosed: March 2017 Remission: April 2017"

• Bab...
• June 8, 2014

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I am on day 3 of Lialda. The first day I took all 4 pills with breakfast. Did the same on day 2. Day 2 I had severe diarrhea, chills, and headache. I felt like I had the flu. That night I did the Canasa suppository. Woke up several times in the night, but did not go to the bathroom. Day 3, I woke up with a severe headache and mild diarrhea. I decided that I would take 2 Lialdas with breakfast. I started feeling a little better. It is now night 3, and I just took 2 Lialdas with dinner. Headache is not as severe. I am hoping that by day 7 I feel normal again. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2003. I have not had a flare since 2006 until recently."

• bmr...
• October 10, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "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."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "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."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "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."

• Ver...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "After taking Lialda for 2 years, my hair is very thin. It has not controlled me from going to the bathroom a lot. I started noticing, besides my hair getting thin, having severe headaches. Had to have a blood transfusion, and my urine started getting darker and darker. The straw that broke the camel's back was my tongue and lips swelled, and I had hives all over. They were so severe that I didn't get any sleep, they caused me to have blisters. After 3 trips to the ER, they finally found something to help the hives. I haven't eaten a full meal in over a year due to the fact that my mouth and lips were so sore and painful to eat. When all the side effects started piling up, I just quit taking it and called my gastroenterologist and will see him in 2 weeks."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2009

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "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."

• vnd...
• September 1, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "Works fairly well on the ulcers, but the side effects are terrible. Two days in, my knee swelled to twice the normal size, and I can't stand on it. Fever and headache constant. Ache all over. Eyes hurt. Going back to Colazol."

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

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "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."