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Mesalamine Allergies?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/10/2009 6:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I've noticed that I seem to experience alot of pain when taking mesalamine enemas, and it tends to increase the frequency of my BMs within the hours after taking. I've also tried Canasa suppositories, but I ended up getting a terrible rash after about a week or so. I'm wondering if this may mean that I'm allergic to mesalamine, and in turn that the 6 pills of Asacol I take a day might be hurting more than helping.

Has anyone heard or experienced problems with Mesalamine? Is there any way to know for sure if I'm intolerant to it?

Thanks!
Posted 10/10/2009 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
the mesalamine is supposed to inhibit particular enzymes so its not effective at the very end of the colon.

Furthermore, the intention of mesalamine is to block the activity of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, (enzymes) thereby, reducing the production of prostaglandins,

http://www.medicinenet.com/mesalamine/article.htm

isnt entirely logical, because prostaglandins have a protective role in the bowel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclooxygenase

what it probably is attempting to control is the lipoxygenase, in creating the peroxides

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoxygenase

but I would think you would help solve this by eating less fats. The theory being the lipoxygenase would not be 'asked' to perform its fat enzyme function if there is not fat to be digested.

Mesalamine works in the similar bio area as aspirin, so it can be acidic, hence it mite burn, this also is not so logical.

Posted 10/10/2009 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
It is possible to be allergic to it, or at the very least, to be "hypersensitive" to it. It's estimated that about 1 out of 20 IBD patients are.

The best way to tell is to work with your doctor and consider stopping it temporarily, then perhaps starting again and seeing if your reactions track that.
Posted 10/12/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
I tried Lialda once and once only.  I had such a bad reaction to it.  I had severe stomach cramps and could not get off the toilet.  I could actually tell where the pill was in me as the pain moved down my intestines.

Whenever any doctor asks if I am allergic to anything I always say mesalamine.  They always look at me funny but I never want that drug in my body again.

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