Asacol (mesalamine) (UC) Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Medicine
Asacol (mesalamine) is a delayed-release prescription tablet used to treat mild to moderately active Ulcerative Colitis. This oral medicine is also administered to patients with proctitis and proctosigmoiditis. Its active agent which is mesalamine, usually targets the substance inside the body that causes tissue damage, diarrhea and inflammation.
The enteric-coated pill should be swallowed whole since mesalamine oral is specially designed to release its medicinal power after it has gone through the patient's stomach into the intestines. Thus it should be handled carefully, should not be crushed chewed or broken since the drug might be released too early within the digestive tract. Dose adjustment is usually recommended for those with liver or kidney disease.
Side Effects:
Most patients who have taken Asacol complain of mild side effects such as the following:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Mild nausea and vomiting
- Flu symptoms
- Constipation
- Feeling of tiredness
- Appearance of skin rash
Serious side effects that need abrupt medical attention include:
- Bloody diarrhea
- headache
- Severe stomach pain and cramps
It is also best to stop taking the drug once allergic reactions are noticed such as difficulty swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
Withdrawal or Drug Interactions:
Withdrawal symptoms for Asacol are not yet clinically established however, it is best that patients contact their doctor if they feel sudden changes in the body after the duration of their treatment. Similarly, prior to taking mesalamine oral, patients should notify their doctor if they are taking other drugs that are known to interfere with Asacol and its ingredients. Inform your doctor if you are taking:
- Imuran or Purithenol
- Pentamidine (Nebupent or Pentam)
- Antibiotics like capreomycin or rifampin
- Antiviral medicines such as Vistide, Foscavir, Zovirax)
- Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve
- Amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet)
- Cancer medicines such as Proleukin, Gliadin, Eloxatin, Platinol, etc.
- Aspirin or other non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.
Warnings:
Patients with the following conditions should talk to their doctors before using this drug: kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure, pyloric stenosis, or they are allergic to Sulfasalazine (Azulfifine.)
Mesalamine is FDA pregnancy category B rated. It is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant should tell their doctor before using this medication. This Ulcerative Colitis medicine can pass into breast milk, and may harm a nursing baby. Nursing mother should inform their doctors if they are breast feeding.
Similarly, inform or discuss with your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical conditions so you are assured of your safety. This way, you are also guaranteed of getting optimal results or efficacy of taking Asacol.