I've been trying to research and find out how and why Mesalamine works for colitis because, once again, it seems to be helping me and I'm shocked at how quickly. I took my first increased dose yesterday and today I have not had any BM's. Considering the day before it was about 7-10 times (and always urgent) that's an incredible difference. I keep finding this info:
Mesalamine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory agents. It works by stopping the body from producing a certain substance that may cause inflammation.
This confuses me, though, because if it is stopping a substance that may cause inflammation, I would imagine it would take a while to get a reduction in symptoms. I mean, what about the inflammation that was there the other day - it didn't heal THAT quickly. Does Mesalamine put some kind of protective coating on the lining that is causing this rapid relief?
Don't get me wrong, I thank God and whoever invented this medication for the quick relief, but I always need to know how and why something is working (or at least I'd like to).
Thanks in advance.
Sue
Lialda - what exactly does it do?
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Lialda - what exactly does it do?
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!
Hi Sue,
Mesalamine doesn't actually heal anything. It works by interrupting an immune system process. It inhibits certain actions of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes. Those enzymes are known to trigger the production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins by the immune system, so by interrupting that activation process, the production of inflammatory leukotrienes and prostaglandins is reduced/prevented. IOW, the "certain substance" referred to in the explanation you quoted actually refers to the production of proinflammatory leukotrienes and prostaglandins (2 substances, rather than 1, and of course there might be others that remain undiscovered). After the inflammation subsides, the immune system does the actual work of healing the damage.
However, note that in people who have an IBD, and who are sensitive to NSAIDS, mesalamine can instead increase the production of leukotrienes (similar to the way that NSAIDs promote inflammation in such cases), and of course this can cause inflammation, instead of suppressing inflammation. This is why rather than helping, mesalamine actually increases the severity of reactions for some of us.
You're very welcome,
Tex
Mesalamine doesn't actually heal anything. It works by interrupting an immune system process. It inhibits certain actions of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes. Those enzymes are known to trigger the production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins by the immune system, so by interrupting that activation process, the production of inflammatory leukotrienes and prostaglandins is reduced/prevented. IOW, the "certain substance" referred to in the explanation you quoted actually refers to the production of proinflammatory leukotrienes and prostaglandins (2 substances, rather than 1, and of course there might be others that remain undiscovered). After the inflammation subsides, the immune system does the actual work of healing the damage.
However, note that in people who have an IBD, and who are sensitive to NSAIDS, mesalamine can instead increase the production of leukotrienes (similar to the way that NSAIDs promote inflammation in such cases), and of course this can cause inflammation, instead of suppressing inflammation. This is why rather than helping, mesalamine actually increases the severity of reactions for some of us.
You're very welcome,
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. With all that knowledge, you should write a book. Oh wait, you already did! 
So then why am I feeling relief already? The Lialda is interrupting the production of inflammatory "stuff" in my body, but what about the inflammation that I've been dealing with for 3 weeks? Did my immune system heal that in less than 24 hours? Geez, I didn't think my system was THAT good!
Sue
So then why am I feeling relief already? The Lialda is interrupting the production of inflammatory "stuff" in my body, but what about the inflammation that I've been dealing with for 3 weeks? Did my immune system heal that in less than 24 hours? Geez, I didn't think my system was THAT good!
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!
No, it can't heal the damage that fast, but preventing the production of new inflammation allows the healing process to actually gain ground. But not all inflammation is created equally, and some types of inflammation can wax and wane relatively quickly (as in the case of classic allergies, for example). IOW unlike the slow changes associated with the T cell-based inflammation that drives classic MC responses, the response to the production (or cessation of production) of leukotrienes and prostaglandins can occur in a relatively short amount of time (hours or days, rather than weeks or months).
Tex
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.
Then if we are not to take NSAIDs should we be considering this?BearcatRx wrote:I usually tell patients who take this medication (myself included) is that it's like naproxen, except it is only released in the colon/large intestine.
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
Mesalamine (5-ASA) is a salicylate, which is often times considered an NSAID. If you look on aspirin packaging, it will say NSAID. However it does not work in the same manner as true NSAIDS such as naproxen, ibuprofen, meloxicam, etc. I simply describe its effect on the body in a similar manner.nerdhume wrote:Then if we are not to take NSAIDs should we be considering this?BearcatRx wrote:I usually tell patients who take this medication (myself included) is that it's like naproxen, except it is only released in the colon/large intestine.