Using Asacol
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Yes I have just been prescribed Asocol after years of putting up with MC and only recently had to bottle to be diagnosed via Colonoscopy, wish I had done it years ago. I have been taking these tablets for a week now three times daily. I think there is a marked improvement. Fingers crossed that these pills work for me
jmg
Hi Janet and 
from a fellow Canuck - I live in BC, Vancouver to be exact.
I had great success with Asacol, although it took about two and a half months for a marked improvement.
Ask anything, you've found a wonderful group of peoples in the same boat as you...and none of us are shy
Big hugs
Peggy
42 dx'd with CC January '03
from a fellow Canuck - I live in BC, Vancouver to be exact.I had great success with Asacol, although it took about two and a half months for a marked improvement.
Ask anything, you've found a wonderful group of peoples in the same boat as you...and none of us are shy
Big hugs
Peggy
42 dx'd with CC January '03
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bobh
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Great! Really happy for you - and that is encouragement for me as I see my Dr. tomorrow to ask for a prescription. I've had MC for many years, but have never tried meds before.janet wrote:prescribed Asocol after years of putting up with MC... I have been taking these tablets for a week now three times daily. I think there is a marked improvement.
I did a search on the Internet and get: "Mesalamine (trade names Asacol, Colazal, and Pentasa)." Does anyone have any advice re: Asacol (approved in 1987 by FDA) vs. Colazal (approved in 2000)?
It seems the "active ingredient" is the same, but the pill (method of delivery) may be different, in terms of how it is delayed - release.
And the suggested dose for Colazal appears to be 9 pills (3 ea, 3x a day) which sounds expensive. I don't have insurance - none of them appear to be available as generic. Any significant differences in these 2 versions of "Mesalamine"?
Bob H
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annie oakley
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Asacol
I have alot of asacol that I'd be happy to share with someone who takes it. I have been off Asacol since april and have quite alot due to someone that was very nice and sent it to me. Love Oma
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance
Bob,
Here's why there are no generic verions of mesalamine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
Okay, with that in mind, the trick is to deliver the active ingredient to the surface of the intestinal mucosa, where it is needed. Both Asacol and Colazal are "controlled-release" meds, but they use different mechanisms to achieve the ability to reach the distal ileum before initiating activation. If you review the information on Asacol and Colazal on this site, you can see how they achieve this goal, (an acrylic resin coating on Asacol, versus a chemical bond with an inert molecule for Colazal), but as noted, more research is needed, to determine which might be more effective in specific types of cases.
http://www.medicinenet.com/ulcerative_colitis/page5.htm
Be aware that Asacol contains lactose, whereas Colazal does not. The best place to get a cost estimate comparison, would be at your pharmacist.
Tex
Here's why there are no generic verions of mesalamine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
Okay, with that in mind, the trick is to deliver the active ingredient to the surface of the intestinal mucosa, where it is needed. Both Asacol and Colazal are "controlled-release" meds, but they use different mechanisms to achieve the ability to reach the distal ileum before initiating activation. If you review the information on Asacol and Colazal on this site, you can see how they achieve this goal, (an acrylic resin coating on Asacol, versus a chemical bond with an inert molecule for Colazal), but as noted, more research is needed, to determine which might be more effective in specific types of cases.
http://www.medicinenet.com/ulcerative_colitis/page5.htm
Be aware that Asacol contains lactose, whereas Colazal does not. The best place to get a cost estimate comparison, would be at your pharmacist.
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 a lot guys, great support for myself there, I really appreciate all your comments, Im feeling optomistic Hoping to see improvements over the next few weeks as we are heading to Wales (Place of birth) and Ireland where we lived before coming to Canada 5 yrs ago. Going to a wedding in Killarney, should I take with me Imodium chasers or no.
Thanks a million talk later, kindest regards Jan
Thanks a million talk later, kindest regards Jan
jmg
I agree with Shirley. It's much better to take it along and not need it, than to need it and not have it. MC can be pretty cruel sometimes, until it's completely under control.
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.
