Mesalamine and Nausea: What Users Say

• Gea...
• July 19, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Been on this for two months now, absolutely no more. It's terrible. Makes my symptoms worse. I keep being told not to stop taking it, the effects will eventually stop, they don't. Abdominal pain, in areas I've never felt before, now not just my lower left side but all the way up under ribs. Terrible swelling, nausea, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, general sick feeling, constipation, bloating, pain every time I eat. I'm stopping this now. It's not helping, and even if it did, side effects outweigh the benefit. I was better before starting this rubbish."

• Anonymous
• June 1, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Lialda is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor about other options because they're out there! I was prescribed to take Lialda 3 times daily. A couple of hours after my third dose, I developed the following reaction: fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, rash/hives on my throat and neck. My doctor wanted me to continue taking Lialda but lessen the dose. I did as told and was bedridden from the side effects. I then found a GI doctor and was prescribed Asacol and medicated enemas. No reactions yet! I wonder why Lialda made me sick, but I am fine with Asacol?"

• boo...
• April 19, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I'm a 63 yr. old male, had UC for over 5 years before my second colonoscopy showed the inflammation in my lower sigmoid colon. Diagnosed as mild. Although I had no pain, the symptoms were debilitating (fatigue, joint ache, loose bowel motions (BM) all morning, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, nausea, chills, and sensitivity to cold with no fever, bleeding internal hemorrhoids during BMs, etc.). My Dr. put me on Apriso, within 3 weeks my symptoms improved, no more fatigue, normal BMs. I've been on it for 6 months and would say my quality of life has improved greatly. I have an occasional mild flare once in a while but nowhere near as bad as without the meds. I find my body wakes me up at about 7 am to use the toilet, but the BMs are 3-4 on the stool chart vs. 5-6. Remission is different for everyone. There is no set standard to quantify remission."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Prescribed mesalamine for ulcerative colitis in Jan this year. After two weeks, had severe tummy cramps, bloody diarrhea, headaches, fevers, nausea, and rashes. Was then put on Pentasa after a week, and symptoms got worse. Went back to the specialist and stopped it all 7 days ago and was put on a course of steroids until I go back for my 2nd scope in three weeks and 3rd in 10 months. Symptoms have subsided, but still experiencing severe tummy pains, extreme diarrhea (especially once the steroids wear off, I'm up all night constantly on the toilet 15+ times) and loss of appetite and nausea. I can't find any information on how long this takes to leave my system, and I regret ever starting this medication. It's made my life awful for the last 2 months. :("

• 7ye...
• October 22, 2013

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "Diagnosed in 2006 with severe Crohn's disease. Tried a dozen medications and never had any success or even close to finding remission. Consistent pain, diarrhea, nausea, etc.... started Lialda 1.2 GM once daily 4 days ago. My pain, nausea, and everything stopped within a few hours of the first dose except diarrhea, it's actually gotten worse and completely watery. Is this normal, and if so, how long does it typically last? I am SO happy to be 100% pain-free for the first time in 7 years without having to use a painkiller, just want the diarrhea to stop so I can be more active outside of the home with my children."

• CJN...
• July 30, 2009

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Like the others mention, I was put on Asacol after a hospital stay, which included high doses of prednisone and transfusions. I was prescribed Asacol and have been flare-free for just over 1 year now. Occasionally, I experience slight nausea after taking it, but I have found that taking it with a meal reduces or eliminates that problem. I intend to continue to take this medicine because I feel it has allowed me to live a normal life again."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I am 24 years old, and I have secret ulcerative colitis. I recently tried Apriso for the second time this year and had the same results as the first attempt: horrible nausea, cramps, and insanely urgent diarrhea. Up all night. Couldn’t go to work, couldn’t function. I had better control and management without the drug."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Almost 54 y/o female, recently had initial recommended colonoscopy. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and prescribed 1.2 gm tablets of mesalamine. My colitis problem was hardly noticeable to me until beginning this medication. I only had slight change in morning BM routine. Now... I'm nauseous, have terrible stomach cramping and pain, as well as diminished appetite. That part not awful since I'd welcome a healthful 15 lb weight loss. I've only been on this medication for 6 days, but I'm very concerned about the cramping and stomach pain. If it persists another day or two, I'll be contacting my GI Dr rather than wait for my 5-week follow-up. The cost of this medicine for a 30-day supply would be almost $600.00 if I didn't have RX coverage. Still, $127.70 a month is steep."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I took Pentasa for ulcerative colitis after Asacol started failing. Asacol had worked for me for seven years, but when P&G started having manufacturers make it in Europe, it no longer worked. The Pentasa worked for my ulcerative colitis at a 3-gram per day dosage. The side effects are much worse for Pentasa. I experienced nausea, mild headaches, and severe hair loss."

• CKi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "I started taking Apriso after being diagnosed with Crohn's in August 2017. My gastro doctor started me out on the ER capsules in the morning. I didn't really notice many side effects at first. I actually felt better than I've felt in years. Crohn's symptoms are almost completely gone, however, I still have a bad day every now and then. A few weeks in, I'm having horrible pounding headaches, dizzy when I stand from sitting, heartburn, excessive sweating, dry mouth, nausea, food tastes metallic, and loss of appetite. I'm afraid if I stop this medication, all the Crohn's issues will return. I would rate it a 5 because the med works if you can tolerate the side effects."

• red...
• December 26, 2009

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "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?"

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Proctitis "I had ulcerative proctitis for 5 years before getting pregnant. Only 1 flare since diagnosis during that time (and it was while off the medication). Canasa suppositories worked within a week and completely maintained me in remission. Then a new doctor told me not to use suppositories if I got pregnant (I told her we were trying to get pregnant and I wanted to check if the medication was okay). I stopped it 2 months before I got pregnant and flared 2 months into pregnancy, but throughout the entire colon this time. I’m now on Lialda, Canasa, and prednisone. It’s been extremely difficult to control the flare, which is typical of flares during pregnancy. I wish I had never stopped taking Canasa. It might be too early to judge Lialda after 4 days, but Lialda has given me so much nausea it feels like I’m back in the first trimester. For anyone wondering, you obviously can take Canasa while pregnant, if clearly needed and the benefit outweighs the risk, as I am currently back on it and 29 weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2013

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 days ago. Started 800 mg, 2 tablets, 3 times/day, plus suppository at night. Diarrhea quickly went down to once a day instead of eight times. Experiencing fatigue, slight nausea, and seem to be developing acne."

• Gig...
• February 25, 2010

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "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."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "After months of gut pain with bouts of severe watery diarrhea, then cramping, I was scoped and found to have widespread moderate UC. Had previous scopes over the years for removal of polyps but no signs of anything else in the past (family history of bowel cancer). Started on mesalamine 1.2 g daily September 2020. After the first month, symptoms and pain/frequency settled. Felt great apart from occasional bouts of nausea, retching, dizziness, and sweating lasting 15 minutes. Since January 2021, having solid motions two to three times daily-no blood but regular lower abdominal cramps and urgency feeling starting to inhibit my lifestyle again. Tried taking mebeverine but felt worse. Trying to control pain with codeine/paracetamol in order to go out to work, but I am semi-retired and can organize the hours I do work. Don't know that mesalamine 1.2 is working as well for me, but equally scared to stop taking the medicine and finding myself back at square one."

• Bon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "Sadly, I was one of the 8% of users who are allergic to Asacol, and I got very ill before the nurses suggested it may be the drug making my condition worse. Within a week of using Asacol, my C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test readings started to rise steadily from an already high score of 16 until at six weeks of still taking the drug, they reached 100. I was using the bathroom 5 times in an hour some nights and dropped weight rapidly. As soon as they thought I may have an allergy, I was told to stop taking them and went onto a decreasing dosage of steroids instead. By the time I finished the steroids, my CRP tests were normal."

• 5jl...
• March 23, 2009

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "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."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2022

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "This caused gas, bloating, cramps, and slight nausea. I have no idea why this med didn't work. I figured at 76 years old, who needed the extra pain and agony? Oh, I also had diarrhea, that was not good either. It never stopped."

• res...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2022

For Ulcerative Colitis "I had part of my colon removed about 20 years ago due to UC and was on mesalamine for 17 years. Possibly as a side effect, I experienced nausea and peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet. After reading a number of studies on NIH, I substituted 8 mg of nicotine (lozenges) daily for the mesalamine and have not had any UC symptoms for the last 3 years. I am not a doctor and cannot recommend this to anyone else, but nicotine does appear to be protective against UC in my case. Whatever you do, do not use tobacco products to get your nicotine!"

• Haw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2015

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "It caused severe cramps, nausea, and more bleeding. I went on a vegan diet with no processed foods and took aloe vera juice, instead, my ulcerative colitis cleared up within a few months."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2009

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Only been on it one week, but it is starting to work! No nausea like I had with Asacol 400 mg."