I'm on 3 mg of Entocort and don't think it's working well enough, yet don't want to go higher because it messes with my thyroid drugs, and I'm also feeling really hyper even on this small dose. So doc called me in a scrip for Lialda a few hours ago and I'm trying to read all I can about it to decide if I want to start it or not, and how, and when.
When I was first diagnosed in 2004 I was given Asacol and it worked beautifully. When I tried Asacol again last year, it made things worse (thus, the Entocort). Since I believe Asacol and Lialda are very similar, I'm preparing myself for the fact that taking the Lialda may make the D worse. Should I stay on the 3 mg of Entocort while starting the Lialda? Or should I stop Entocort first and then start Lialda?
Any benefit to both at the same time? Any danger? Sorry to ask that here but the doc is obviously gone for the weekend and I'm not sure what to do with this new drug.
Thoughts?
Sue
Switching to Lialda - should I?
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Switching to Lialda - should I?
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Sue,
There are no known drug interactions between the two medications, and some GI docs regularly prescribe the two concurrently (at full dosages), thinking that this increases the chances of combined efficacy. Since you're taking a small dose of budesonide, it's possible that the Lialda might help (assuming that you do not react to mesalamine). The primary differences between Lialda and Asacol are:
Lialda is a much newer medication (although the active ingredient is the same — mesalamine).
Lialda does not contain lactose (which causes many of us to react), whereas Asacol and Asacol HD are the only mesalamine-based anti-inflammatory medications that contain a derivative of lactose.
Lialda is more concentrated — it contains 1,200 mg of mesalamine per pill, whereas Asacol contains 400 mg, and Asacol HD contains 800 mg per pill. IOW, less pills are required to get an equivalent dose.
And, or course, some of the other inactive ingredients are different.
Tex
There are no known drug interactions between the two medications, and some GI docs regularly prescribe the two concurrently (at full dosages), thinking that this increases the chances of combined efficacy. Since you're taking a small dose of budesonide, it's possible that the Lialda might help (assuming that you do not react to mesalamine). The primary differences between Lialda and Asacol are:
Lialda is a much newer medication (although the active ingredient is the same — mesalamine).
Lialda does not contain lactose (which causes many of us to react), whereas Asacol and Asacol HD are the only mesalamine-based anti-inflammatory medications that contain a derivative of lactose.
Lialda is more concentrated — it contains 1,200 mg of mesalamine per pill, whereas Asacol contains 400 mg, and Asacol HD contains 800 mg per pill. IOW, less pills are required to get an equivalent dose.
And, or course, some of the other inactive ingredients are different.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks, Tex.... you're always there for me / us. And you have so much useful information about so many things - you should write a book! Oh, wait... you already did. 
OK, so I will try the Lialda while I'm still taking a little Entocort, but now I need to decide WHEN to start. Tomorrow I will be around the house all day so if things get worse, that would be do-able, but Sunday I will be with a bunch of people away from home at an outing.... wondering if I should wait until Monday to start the Lialda. At least I'm within running distance to the bathroom when I'm at the office.
I think I'm supposed to take the Lialda WITH FOOD... I don't recall doing that with Asacol..... wonder why.
Sue
OK, so I will try the Lialda while I'm still taking a little Entocort, but now I need to decide WHEN to start. Tomorrow I will be around the house all day so if things get worse, that would be do-able, but Sunday I will be with a bunch of people away from home at an outing.... wondering if I should wait until Monday to start the Lialda. At least I'm within running distance to the bathroom when I'm at the office.
I think I'm supposed to take the Lialda WITH FOOD... I don't recall doing that with Asacol..... wonder why.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
I think the Lialda is supposed to dissolve in the colon. Taking it with food probably helps get by the stomach acid. My Gi said to pick a meal and take it with that same meal everyday.
Theresa
MC and UC 2014
in remission since June 1, 2014
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. ~Jim Rohn
MC and UC 2014
in remission since June 1, 2014
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. ~Jim Rohn
Thanks, Theresa... that makes a lot of sense. Guess that means I'll be doing it with my lunch... hope it doesn't interact with Flonase nasal spray. Geez, it gets challenging trying to take several meds for several ailments and time them all accordingly. I now take my thyroid med at 4:00 a.m. just to keep it spaced far enough from my others!nerdhume wrote:I think the Lialda is supposed to dissolve in the colon. Taking it with food probably helps get by the stomach acid. My Gi said to pick a meal and take it with that same meal everyday.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!