Apriso Questions

My 10 year old daughter had her appointment the other day with her Ped. GI and she said the drug reps are pushing Apriso. Doctor gave us some samples and said it was up to us if we wanted to switch to it from Colazal (generic). The once a day dosing sounds nice, but I hate to rock the boat, you know?

My main questions are

1. The only dose mentioned that I can find is 4 per day which is what the doctor said my daughter would take (10 years old and 68 lbs.). Isn't that the adult dose?

2. Also, I don't see any info. on the dose for flaring verses remission - my son takes Lialda and takes 2 when in remission and can up it to 4 when flaring. What about Apriso? The literature said it is just for maintenance so what dose one do when flaring?

I asked the doctor when was the best time to make a medicine change - while flaring or when well and she said definitely when well.

The once a day dosing is sure tempting, but I just hate change. Colazal seems to be working quite well. She has been on it for 2 years now with just one real flare earlier this summer.

Thanks a bunch!

Thanks for the feedback, fruitgirl. Glad to hear you like the Apriso! I will say that with 2 kids and over 7 years of dealing with this, we almost NEVER miss a dose. Every Sunday I fill each kiddos pill container (the type for 4 times per day dosing for 7 days). They are very responsible kids and I almost never even have to remind them. When my son goes out for the evening and suspects he may sleep at a friends house, he'll pack his meds and take them with him.

He love the once per day dosing of Lialda, but still has other meds, at other times (zyrtec, Azasan, etc.)

Thanks again.

Yes, the drug reps are pushing Apriso. It's more like Asacol than Colazal-- in that it's designed to start dissolving in the terminal ileum. It contains Aspartame, an illogical ingredient IMO. If Colazal works for your daughter in generic form, too-- there's really no need to switch meds now. Would your insurance cover Apriso regardless? / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; taking brand-name Colazal, the Watson generic made me sick!)

Salix is mainly concerned with increasing their profit margins. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

The patient in question here is a 10 yr-old child, who should not be experimented on, which makes the pitch for Apriso all the more odious. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

Thanks for the feedback. I think Apriso sounds like a med. to keep in mind for possible future use, but for now will go with the "tried and true". Kind of since "it's not broke, don't fix it".

It's a bit of an inconvenience taking meds throughout the day, but we have done it for so long, it is second nature. Perhaps a once a day Colazal will be in the future....

Thanks again,

Julie

I agree, Keylime. My experience with Colazal goes back to 2003 when my gastro was participating in Phase 2 clinical trials for it. It tends to work for patients with poor response to Asacol. Apriso = Asacol with extended release properties + touted lower pH dissolution rate. My feeling is that Salix was eager to rush it to market as competition for Lialda by Shire Pharma, not because it's 100% appropriate for every UCer, be it child or adult patient. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])