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Asacol dosage

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Posted 2/12/2010 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
ok I just started my Asacol, and the doc is having me take 4 400mg pills a day. two in the morning, two in the evening...is this kind of low?? it seems everyone is on higher doses? im in a minor flare, and using rowasa nightly as well.
Posted 2/12/2010 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
That is on the low side of things. When I was on Asacol, I took 12 400mg pills, split over three doses during the day. Since you're in a flare, I'd call your GI and ask about upping it.
Posted 2/13/2010 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
The Asacol bottle says the mild/moderate flare dosage is 2 pills 3 times a day. My doctor has me on e 3 pills 3 times a day for my flare. But I'm having what I consider to be a major flare. So, maybe a little low. But it's not a bad place to start. You can always ask to up it if it doesn't help. :o)
Posted 2/13/2010 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
I am currently in remission, but I only take 2 pills ONCE daily. I started on 4 pills 2 times a day with my major flare a couple of years ago. When I went into remission I talked with my doctor about dropping my dosage. I tried 2 pills 2 times daily and was doing quite well, but my doc said I should not go any lower with the severity of my UC. I am determined to get off of the meds so now I'm doing take 2 once per day. I think that is a pretty low dose, but everyone is different. We'll see how it goes!
Posted 2/13/2010 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
i take 2 800mg pills twice a day and have done for a long time.
Posted 2/13/2010 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I'd see about upping it.  I went from 6 to 9 a day and I've really noticed a difference.  Maybe it'll help you too.
Posted 2/13/2010 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
And then there's me, the one who takes 4 Asacol 4 times a day, and have for a decade or so....
Posted 2/13/2010 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I take 2 tablets twice a day and feel fine

Forgot to mention they are 800mg tabs

Post Edited (wolverine2) : 2/21/2010 8:40:12 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/13/2010 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
It's low. I started on 9 a day, 6 a day is supposed to be remission dosing.
Posted 2/16/2010 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Anybody ever have trouble with this drug? I have read horror stories about it. Renal failure, cardiac problems, etc...
I have hair loss, but am not sure if some of my other symptoms are from it, from UC or from something else.
Posted 2/17/2010 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
No, I've been on it for 21 years, I consider it my miracle med. I've never been on a high oral dosage, however.

I do use the retention enemas to deal with flares and taper to maintenance.

q
Posted 2/17/2010 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
I started on 6 pills a day 5 years ago and then it was doubled to 12 pills. I take 3 pills with breakfast, lunch, dinner and at bedtime. I find if I take them with food I don't get a queasy feeling. In November I thought I would try to save some money by reducing down to 9 pills a day and went into a very bad flare that I am just starting to come out of. Of course after this all started I went back to my 12 pills. When I told my doctor he practically hit me. He said you should never reduce that drastically. He said the way to do it is to reduce by 1 pill a day for several weeks and then another pill for several weeks. He said that your body will tell you when you have reduced too much.

My 12 pills seems like the amount my body wants... so who am I to object?
Posted 2/18/2010 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I had been on 6 Asacol pills each day - 2 ea 3 x daily for years. I too take them with meals. Over the last 12 years, my maintenance dose increased to 9 per day.

I moved up to a max of 15 pills each day during my last major flare. My new GI doc said that was way too high a dose and has dropped me back to 6 pills daily, but has added 1 ea 50mg 6mp. I also am tapering off Prednisone. I have not noticed any bad side affects from being on the Asacol or the Mesalamine retention enemas. This combination has allowed me to live a pretty "normal" life. I am hoping the addition of the 6mp will get me back to good times.
Posted 2/18/2010 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I just dropped from 12 to 6, my doctor was fine with it, i was nervous and wanted to taper more slowly, but I'm sick of the hair loss, and who knows if all the pills are causing my insomnia.

I also am seeing him March 3, and at 12 to 6 tabs a day, we'll have something to measure my progress by instead of 12 to 11 pills a day.

I wish me luck... feeling good so far.
Posted 2/18/2010 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
If you dose too low and your stools start loosening or whatever, is it too late, can you quickly go back up, or are you at square one with a flare?
Posted 2/18/2010 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say there's an equally good chance of it going either way. I remember that notsosicklygirl tried tapering pretty quickly, but I can't remember what happened.

Also, can you please shorten your signature? They are supposed to be less than 10 lines per forum rules. I'm afraid that if you don't fix it, I'll have to start deleting it from posts.
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