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Too much Asacol?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/21/2008 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed UC about 2 weeks ago.

For the past few weeks I have been taking 12 Asacol pills (6 in the morning and 6 at dinner) with great results, BUT. I wake up and feel great! Then I have breakfast, take the 6 Asacol, and feel great for an hour, and then I have to lie down, and I feel kind of out of it for the rest of the day. It will be tough to return to work like that. When I looked at the prescribing infirmation, it said the usual adult dose was 2 pills 3x/day. Why am I taking double that amount plus prednisone? I wish I could lower it a little (not a lot)...

Maybe time to call my doctor.

Posted 6/21/2008 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I've noticed that when I take a fairly hefty dose of Asacol I feel the side-effects much more prominently than if I take a much smaller dose. So, I'd definitely call your Dr. and see if it's okay if you spread the dosages out -- maybe 4 pills 3x a day, or even 3 pills 4x a day.

As for why you're taking that much, as well as prednisone, when the usual adult dose is 6 pills a day... I'd guess it has to do with you just recently being diagnosed. Your Dr. might be trying to get you into remission in a hurry. If that's the case, he/she would likely reduce your Asacol dose once you're in remission. Something else to ask him/her in that phone call. ;-)

-Dan
Posted 6/21/2008 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Setimes I get real tired, could be asacol, I thought I was just lazy.  lol.  Anyhow, maybe if you tell the doc, you could do it 3 times a day, same amount of total pills, maybe that will make a difference.  Otherwise, can you drink coffee to wake up, it helps me......if your colon can tolerate it.  Mine can so far.  Good luck, Bellski

Posted 6/21/2008 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
The recommendation is to treat a flare aggressively and 12 Asacol is supposed to do that. There are studies that show the highest does of Asacol will induce remission faster. However, I'm quite sure I came across a recent study calling into question that dosing regime. If I remember correctly, that study showed no more effectiveness with 12 Asacol than with six.

Certainly something to discuss with you doctor.
Posted 6/21/2008 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
12 asacol is pretty much the highest dosage, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee remission. A high dosage of Asacol can cause symptoms where a lower dosage is optimum.

Actually, starting at a lower dosage such as 4 or 6 plus rectal meds (stressing the rectal meds part) is a good starting place. The asacol or whatever oral 5ASA can be increased to find an optimum dosage...

Sistermarie..are you still on the pred? What dosage are you on at this time?

The other option is that you can maybe change the dosage amount and time by taking 4 pills 3 times a day...

Welcome to the forum!

quincy
Posted 6/21/2008 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
My nephew is taking 16 asacol a day. So many people say that 12 is the highest dosage. Could someone direct me to where that is written. Sometimes I worry that 16 is too much.
Posted 6/21/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 12 and the side effects were too much for me, so I got brought down to 8 and rosawa enemas. For some reason the 8 still makes me drowsy as all hell, but I can somewhat function at least. I'd say 16's only too much if its bothering him. I know asacol messes with my stomach beyond UC, and makes it hard to stay awake, but its better than life without it.
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