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Asacol dosges...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/10/2008 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
I am currently taking 6 Asacol in the am and 6 Asacol in pm and still having 1 bout of diarrhea every morning!

Has anyone had better success splitting the dosage 4pills / 3 times per day????

I am not sure if it makes any difference

 

Posted 10/10/2008 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
At my peak usage of Asacol, I was on 9 pills a day. I'd take 3 every 8 hours or so. Even when I was taking a lesser dosage, it was still split into 3x day. I'm surprised that you were told to take 6 twice a day. I don't see why there would be a problem splitting them up to 4 pills, 3x day. You might want to ask your doc if there was a specific reasoning behind only taking them twice a day.
Posted 10/10/2008 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I think no matter what, mornings will always be bad for us :(
Posted 10/10/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I took 12 too, but it was 4 3 times a day.
Posted 10/10/2008 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I take my dose as 2 pills, 4x day. I've basically been on 8 since the beginning, but did go up to 12 pills for awhile when in a very bad state. Then, it was 3 pills 4x day. I can't believe you take 6 at once! I mean, I do wind up taking 5 pills at once at nighttime, but 6 in the AM & 6 in the PM is a lot in one mouthful.

Posted 10/10/2008 3:39 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I take Asacol - six in AM and six in PM.  I have been taking that dose for about two months and it has worked really well for me.  I like taking the meds only twice a day.  I miss a lot less dosages that way.  I think there is a lot of room for experimenting though, when one is taking 12 pills a day.  Maybe you should try it on a different schedule and see if it helps.

Asacol not been perfect though.  I still have some UC symptoms everyday including diarrhea about once a week, occassion blood clots and mucus but, I now never "go" more than six times a day which is so much better than before.  The only problem I have with it hasn't done much take away the pain. 

Also, If you have a lot damage going on in your colon it may take longer than you think for the meds to help your body heal it all. 

Posted 10/10/2008 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
While I was flaring I took 4 in the morning, 4 in the afternoon and 4 at night. Once I started feeling better my GI said to decrease to just two times a day. Maybe give your GI a call. I'm curious to whether there is a difference too. Maybe it has something to do with Asacol being time-release drug?
Posted 10/10/2008 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have always taken mine 3 times a day. weather taking nine are six. six is what I take most the time but still take 2 tablets 3 times a day.
Posted 10/10/2008 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Madabs has a valid point...the fewer times a day you take things, the less chance you have of missing a dose. I'd miss my midday doses once or twice a week, not that I ever really noticed any difference. Asacol is time released, not sure what the release schedule is though...probably twelve hours since that would keep you covered. I'm taking "Once a day Lialda" now in the mornings. When my doctor wanted to increase my dosage, I thought it funny that he wanted me to take them at night as well. So much for the "Once a day..." tag line.
Posted 10/11/2008 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I will check with my dr. for the reason for the dosage
He did initially prescribe Lialda but my insurance will not cover it.
THanks to all for your input
Posted 10/11/2008 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Folks,

I just drifted over from the crohns board. Hey, I actually asked my GI what the difference was in taking asacol twice a day or three times a day. He initially had me taking 3 in the morning, and 3 in the evening, and I wanted to do them 3 times a day. He told me that asacol was designed to be taken three times a day for optimal function of the med. However, he said that some people do it twice a day because they often times forget the dose at lunchtime because they get busy, etc. But 3 times a day would be optimal for how the drug was designed...if you can remember to take it that way. Hope that helps.
Posted 10/12/2008 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
My dr prescribed 2 in the morning and 2 at night but have been upped to 4 in the morning and 4 at night as started to flare have always taken twice a day will ask why and mention about optimal function when next see him.
Posted 10/12/2008 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I find it very hard to remember to take meds 3x day, even when I'm flaring. My gut ought to remind me, as often as it acts up throughout the day! But it doesn't.
Posted 10/12/2008 8:01 PM (GMT 0)

I think that is why my doctor suggested Lialda as he thinks us "seniors" can't or won't remember our meds.  Actually, we are less busy so probably do good at it.  I have one of those plastic daily things and fill it once a week - one for morning and one for night.

Because of my problems with side effects I only take one Lialda morning and one Canasa at night.  Seems to be working slowly - don't really care how slow as long as it continues to work.  Still have a few side effects so can you imagine me taking like 12 Asacol? 

ElaineNY

Posted 10/13/2008 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
The GIs I've seen have told me it makes no difference whether you take it 3 times a day or twice a day.
Posted 10/13/2008 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Some people do not tolerate Asacol well. I have been on it for years, initially 12 per day. After I had been in remission from Remicade for a while, I was still having some diarrhea, which can be a SIDE EFFECT OF ASACOL! So he lowered me to 8 per day, and I improved. Recently I dropped to 4 per day to see if I have any more improvement.
Good Luck
James
Posted 10/13/2008 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
hi james...dropped to 4 or tapered to 4 daily?

i've taken asacol twice daily for well over 19 years...i told the doctor that 3x daily wouldn't work in my schedule and he said no problem.

I do read on here that some tend to forget one dosage of meds at regular intervals...while others take them 4 times a day with no problem.

There are options with these meds...and if side effects of just a bit too much causes side effects that could mimic UC symptoms...it could be considered to taper them to a lower dosage.

Asacol has been awesome for me...but my doc has never had me on a high dosage to start. He had me from 4 to 6...highest was 8 daily on my own increase and I got the OK for that. Eventually I was tapered back to 6 and have stayed there.

q
Posted 10/13/2008 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Heather -

How are things going for you lately? I remember you hit a rough patch last week, and I haven't seen you on the board for the last few days. Does that mean you got over the bump and are back to smoother sailing?
Posted 10/13/2008 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
lol...Im doing fine..except...my computer crashed last week and was without one since the 6th...and are now waiting for the new hard drive to arrive from HP. Plus on Friday, we purchased an Acer laptop and its making waaaay too many mistakes. bwahahahaaaa..sigh.

Must say ive gotten a lot done...although not since learning how to type on a laptop...or is it notebook..

Since its a french english keyboard, i keep getting the french keys (clearly ive clicked on something that has since eliminated the apostrophe and question mark and foward slash...sheesh.

so, thats where ive been for the past week.

catching up....

q
Posted 10/13/2008 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, computers are a pain in the butt. I take you are Canadian? That the reason for the french keyboard? We'll forgive the typos until you get the hang of the laptop and french/english keys. Glad to hear you are doing well (except the 'puter issues!).
Posted 10/13/2008 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
i am currently on 4pills 3xs a day and try to space them out every 8 hours and it has been working really good for me so far. i sometimes miss my afternoon dose though and can tell a difference the next morning. so just try keep taking it regularly and hopefully you will be fine.
Posted 10/13/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)

Can someone tell me how one Lialda compares with Asacol tablets as far as doseage.  I have been trying to find the info and getting more confused - thanks!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/13/2008 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am on the four pills three times a day regiment finally.  I fought my doctor for years on it b/c I would always forget the middle dose.  Though I set a reminder on my computer at work and one on my phone so that daily it pops up! 

Have to say that it does seem to work better with three doses vs two.

Posted 10/13/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)

Looks like from my research that one Lialda is same as 3 Asacol 400mg. tablets.  YIKES!  If I get side effects from one Lialda - what would 12 Asacol do??  Don't want to find out!  Glad you all can take enough to heal - mine is going really slow but seems to be getting better - at least not worse!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/13/2008 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
yep brandon..canadian. thanks for the good wishes.

q
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