Mesalamine and Flare-Ups: What Users Say

• Nou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 29, 2021

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with UC in 2018 due to high levels of stress causing serious diarrhea, sharp stomach pain, bloating, and bleeding. I got various tests until the doctors were able to diagnose me with UC. Starting off with steroids for a couple of weeks, I then began taking 4 tablets daily, and the improvements were amazing. I am able to eat any food without any complications. When I find myself stressed out, I do see little flare-ups, but they go away after a day or two max. I would 100% recommend this medication for anyone to try if you have these symptoms due to stress."

• Chu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2007. I was originally put on 4.8 gm/day of mesalamine. After a year on it, my colitis was non-detectable, and I was put on 2.4 gm/daily for maintenance. I've been taking this medication for over 10 years now with no complications or side effects. I've had occasional flare-ups and simply increased the dosage back to the original 4.8 gm/daily until the symptoms cleared (usually within a week). My last colonoscopy in 2018 also showed no signs of the colitis. I've had very good results with this medication."

• Mam...
• December 29, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I was prescribed Asacol, Apriso, had 3 sessions of Remicade, all with disappointing results. I have been using Lialda for about 21 months. I was in total remission until about 2 weeks ago, so I did really good for nearly a year. Then one hugely stressful incident caused a flare-up. I am working with my doctor to get back on track."

• Tum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was told to switch to Lialda after being on Asacol HD for 3 years, 2 pills 3x a day, 800mg each, due to my insurance not covering it anymore. My doctor told me the only difference was the coating, so I felt confident making the switch. By the end of week one of Lialda, 1200mg, 2 pills 2x a day, I was starting to get pain and go more frequently until it turned into diarrhea. I had no flare-ups for a year and had been feeling great on the Asacol, so I immediately switched back to it after a month on Lialda. It was too late, the wheels had already started turning on the road to a flare-up. I am now on day 8 of being back on Asacol, waiting for my prednisone to get me better. I am so disappointed this happened."

• gtr...
• October 27, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "My doctor switched me from Asacol (which was working very well) to Lialda, and the results were horrible. When I started having bad flare-ups, my gastroenterologist had no clue what to do. She put me on Remicade for over 16 months with no results, and I was miserable. When I suggested that perhaps it was the Lialda that was causing the problems, she stated that that was 'not likely.' Well, after about two years of misery and being back on steroids, I switched doctors - a guy who came highly recommended. After a heart-to-heart consultation with him, he stated he had some patients who did not do well with Lialda and decided to take me off that medication immediately. Within three weeks, I was off steroids, back to using Asacol, and life is now okay."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2010

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Asacol caused high diarrhea within 1-2 days, then was switched to Colezol, and within about 2 months had a bad flare-up, which stopped within 2 days of discontinuing Colezol. Have since learned that if you are intolerant of Asacol, Colezol should not be prescribed. Are going to end up with same issues."

• Sch...
• January 11, 2013

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I used Lialda for approx 1 month after a relapse of my Ulcerative Colitis. My doctor gave me samples of it. It worked very well. I had been on sulfasalazine for many years and was happy to find something else to take since I didn't have to take as many pills with Lialda. That said, after the samples ran out, I was given a prescription, and when I went to fill it at the pharmacy, I was shocked to see it was going to cost me over $300 for one month's supply, and that was AFTER my insurance paid more than half of it. I normally have a $5.00 copay, so needless to say, I am back on sulfasalazine and dealing with flare-ups again. (I got a discount card from Shire so the prescription would only cost me $120 a month, but that's still too much)."

• Ken...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 28, 2017

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I was on Asacol for over 10 years, taking 2 pills 4 times a day. I switched to Apriso for another 10 years, taking 4 pills once a day thanks to the time release. Lately, I've been finding it cheaper than it used to be. I'll still have flares about 5 times a year. Sometimes, I forget to take them for a few days, and it doesn't bother me much. I am searching currently just to change it up since I've been on Apriso for so many years. For the most part, it's been fine, though. My insurance counts it as a tier 3, which is a joke, and I find it cheaper to order through online coupon sites, getting 3 months at a time."

• Cor...
• March 9, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with UC at 18 years old. After a week in the hospital, they came up with the final diagnosis, and after a few tried meds, they landed me on Lialda, and it worked great for me for 7-8 years, only experiencing flare-ups if I were to drink too much alcohol and lose sleep, which was rare, but in that case, I would need to use prednisone to get back into remission. Healthy diet, sleep, exercise, and Lialda kept me normal! I am 26 now, and I feel my body has built up a tolerance. For the past year, I have been on a low, going to the restroom more than five times a day. Up until now, Lialda was perfect. With the Shire card and health insurance, it was only $10 a month."

• Lov...
• April 16, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "****Helpful information**** Search the web for Lialda coupons to get Lialda for $10 a month! I am a 24-year-old who has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis since age 11. I started on Colazal when I was first diagnosed; but it only continued to keep me in remission for a few years. I was prescribed many other medications that didn't seem to work for me either. Finally, once I was prescribed Lialda, my health and quality of life improved greatly! Lialda is such a lifesaver for me! (Although I still have occasional flare-ups, things calm down when suppositories are used in conjunction with Lialda.)"

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

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "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 :("

• Cra...
• October 23, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was diagnosed with colon cancer seven years ago - stage 2A. About a year after, I had a colonoscopy and was found to have UC at the resection. A few years later, I was also diagnosed with proctitis. When I get a flare 2-3 times a year, I immediately have the enemas filled. It’s a two-week process, but usually after the first four or five days, the inflammation starts to go down. I highly recommend it based on my personal experience."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This is not putting me in remission. I’m on 1.2 grams four times daily and still get flare-ups. Colitis is also attacking my joints as well, so at this point, it’s time to start talking about immunosuppressants."

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

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "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."

• Pet...
• December 6, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "This drug made my colitis worse... more flare-ups and extreme pain... I do not recommend this for ulcerative colitis."

• Roo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2022

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "Took Lialda for years, worked great until my insurance would only pay for the generic brand. Started having flare-ups and had to switch to basalamide. Generic Lialda doesn’t work well for me."