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Rowasa Enema Side Effects

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/30/2009 5:23 AM (GMT 0)

I used Rowasa Enemas (generic) for about a week with no problems.  A week later when I used them again I became sick w/ aches, fever, D, etc.   I assumed I came down with a bug and waited a few days before using another enema.  When I used the enema again I had severe D the entire next day. I am not sure if this is all a coincidence with me being sick or if it is from the enemas.

I know a lot of you have experience with Rowasa & I am curious of side effects you have experienced?  Has anyone not been able to tolerate the Rowasa enemas?

Thanks, Jennifer

Posted 1/30/2009 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
I can react differently from one week to the next. Sometimes I can't even hold them all night. Other times I can't "go" to save my life. And then again other times it gives me cramps and D. With that said-- as my UC abates, I find it easier to use them. Consistency is key on your part, even if it isnt on you colon's part! I never had a reaction such as fever or aches, though. Also, don't just go off them cold turkey. Just like anything else, you have to taper the frequency.
Posted 1/30/2009 10:27 AM (GMT 0)
Jennifer,
I too experienced those same side effects, both when I started Rowasa the first time about 6 weeks ago, took a break and started again just last week. It lasted about two to three days each time. The first time I wasn't sure it was the Rowasa, (I read these exact side effects on the patient information sheet I got from the pharmacy). Then when I started Rowasa last week I felt feverish, achy, and miserable again. I think it was worse the first day and a half. Because the side effects happened both times and are listed on the patient info sheet I concluded it must be the Rowasa. I can't think of any other reason I would have those symptoms for such a short period of time and not have it blossom into a full-blown viral infection or something you would expect with those symptoms. I found that the side effects subsided after I had used the Rowasa consistently (every night for me). The side effects really sucked! But I decided to stick with the Rowasa because it has helped a lot.
I'm sorry to hear that you have had the yucky side effects. That you experienced them reinforces my conclusion that Rowasa can cause those side effects for some people. I dunno, sometimes it can help to hear that someone else has had the same problem. I hope it helps. If not, thats okay, best of luck finding something that can help. :)

Katie
Posted 2/1/2009 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
Some UCers are bothered by the preservative chemical in the enema solution. Others have issues with the generic that they solve by using original Rowasa. I've been thinking myself about checking into the cost of original with regard to my health insurance. Mesalamine is not a drug that you have to taper religiously like a steroid requiring endocrine readjustment, but it does take longer to reduce inflammation significantly-- so if your colon is very irritated, it could take 8-10 weeks of nightly Rowasa to bring symptoms under control. That still doesn't guarantee you won't have loose bms, but bleeding/cramping/urgency should stop. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; original Colazal is my best med to-date for maintaining remission)
Posted 2/1/2009 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
I personally was not able to tolerate the generic and could only use the brand name Rowasa.  Don't know why that was. Maybe you should try to get the brand name.  Ask your GI for a couple of samples to try it out and see if it makes a difference before you go and invest in $400 worth of drugs.
Posted 2/1/2009 2:28 PM (GMT 0)

All Mesalamine medications give me those symptoms and they continue to get worse until I stopped them - ASacol, LIalda, Rowasa, Canasa, Colazal, etc.  I tried to continue but always got worse.  HOWEVER, if I could have tolerated them they were helping to some degree with bleeding, cramping, etc.  I felt just like I had the flu and got bad a couple of times so that I could barely get out of bed.

I will not/can not take mesalamine medications again - felt worse than the UC. 

ElaineNY

Posted 2/1/2009 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your responses! It seems strange that I can tolerate oral mesalamine (Lialda) & not the enemas...
Posted 2/1/2009 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
This was something I had wondered about too- if others had problems with Rowasa. I've been on the Rowasa enemas for a couple of years now, off and on, and I think that the next day after taking them I just don't feel quite "right". I've pretty much tapered off them completely, maybe once a week or so I use them now. At one time I thought that they had helped, but now not so sure. The next day I usually feel more unsettled, maybe a little more feeling of "rawness"and have to go more often. When my doc had prescribed them every day, I would wonder why I felt better when I traveled, and I think it was because I often didn't use them.
Also, I used to get that low-grade fever feeling too, but I always just assumed that that was UC. Maybe the Rowasa had something to do with that. My doc just prescribed the Corti enemas for me, so I'll see how well they work. Hopefully they help me transition off prednisone and onto Imuran.
Posted 2/2/2009 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Jennifer, if you can tolerate oral mesalamine, then it is likely the preservative chemical in the mesalamine enemas that is bothering you. One of our Forum moderators, Red_34 (Sherry), has the same problem. She can take Colazal, but not Rowasa. She is allergic to sulfites in the enemas. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
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