Asacol (Mesalamine)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

What is Asacol?

Asacol is a prescription medicine used to treat bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Asacol belongs to a class of drugs called aminosalicylates. It works by reducing the production of chemicals called prostaglandins that cause inflammation in the intestines. This helps to prevent swelling in the intestines.

Asacol is used alone or in combination with other medications. It is safe and effective for use in adults and children above 5 years of age.

Benefits and Uses of Asacol

Asacol is used to treat patients with the following health conditions:

• Ulcerative colitis: It is an inflammatory disease that causes irritation, ulcers, swelling, and redness in the lining of the large intestine and rectum. The condition ultimately leads to rectal bleeding, frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Asacol is prescribed to control and prevent bleeding, stomach pain, and ulceration. It also prevents the disease from coming back.

• Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is also an inflammatory bowel disease. Asacol reduces inflammation and helps to relieve the symptoms of the disease such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and ulcer.

How to take Asacol?

Asacol is available in the form of tablets and taken orally with or without food as directed by your doctor.

• The recommended dosage of Asacol for adults with Ulcerative Colitis is two 400 mg tablets three times a day, for 6 weeks. While the recommended dose of Asacol for pediatric patients is weight-based, usually twice a day for 6 weeks. Patients should swallow the medication as a whole. One should not chew, crush or break the tablet.

• In case you forget to take a dose of Asacol, take it as soon as you remember. If it is the time for the next dose, skip the dose and continue your scheduled dose.

• Take the medications regularly as prescribed by your doctor and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Never stop taking the medication without consulting the doctor if your symptoms go away and you feel good.

Side effects of Asacol

Patients may experience some common side effects of Asacol including:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach pain and diarrhea

• Indigestion and gas

• Headache, muscle and joint pain

• Skin rash, and itching

• Abnormal liver function tests

In some rare cases, Asacol may cause serious side effects, including:

• Severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and fever

• Kidney problems (Symptoms: dark urine, change in the amount of urine, or blood in the urine)

• Yellowing of eyes and skin

• Chest pain, and shortness of breath

• Allergic reactions including rash, itching, swelling of the face, and throat, dizziness, and trouble breathing

Drug Interactions

Asacol may interact with other medications. The drug interactions may cause severe reactions or may affect the working of medications. So it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including:

• Nephrotoxic agents such as Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Taking Asacol with NSAID may increase the risk of kidney problems.

• Aspirin

• Azathioprine

• Dichlorphenamide

• Medications containing balsalazide, olsalazine, or sulfasalazine

Safety Information

• Discuss the safety of Asacol with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding. The medication can cause harmful effects on the baby.

• Do not take the drug if you have an allergy to any ingredients of Asacol.

• Before starting the treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions especially: kidney disease, liver disease, acute intolerance syndrome, and upper gastrointestinal obstruction.

• Patients taking Asacol should not use aspirin or aspirin-related medications. As it can increase the risk of a serious condition called Reye's syndrome.

• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption if you are taking Asacol Tablets.

Reference:

• https://www.rxlist.com/asacol-drug.htm

• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9006/asacol-oral/details

• https://www.1mg.com/drugs/asacol-400mg-tablet-139076