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Pentasa: How long before it works?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/7/2011 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone.
My last post was about on how i felt i was undermedicated for years only surviving on one salofalk a day.
Well Im starting on an intense dose of pentasa for 3 weeks. 500mg 8 times a day.
I noticed pentasa didnt do any effect on me but i was prescribed only 2 a day wich probably doesnt count so much.
Im doing as well one salofalk 500mg nightly.
Anyone had experience with Pentasa? And how long id it started to kick in?
many thanks
stefanie
Posted 6/8/2011 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I do not have experience with Pentasa, it is usually not the top choice medication for UC, it is used more for Chron's. I do have experience with Asacol which is similar and prescribed quite often for UC. 500mg 8x a day is 4000mg which is not the max dose of mesalamine but it's a high dose which can put you in remission if you respond to the treatment. some of the users here take 4800mg of Asacol a day ongoing for years. 

When I first started Asacol, I was started on 3600mg a day and it stopped my moderate flare up in just a couple weeks. I started feeling better pretty quickly and eventually all my symptoms improved and I was in remission for a little over a year. The flare while on 3600mg Asacol was extremely difficult to treat. I had to take prednisone and start 6mp. I don't think mesalamine is as effective for me as it used to be.

Posted 6/8/2011 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your answer.
Well I had asacol first a few years ago 4 pills a day and it was alright.
I dunno why but my doctor wants to try pentasa 8 pills a day for 3 weeks to kicks out the little flare or at least some symptoms. Im still doing asacol enema nightly to make sure im covered on both sides lol
My ex GI put me on only 500mg salofalk once a day as regular medication when actually i was complaining about symptoms... and they are here fr years now and i discovered by another doctor (a GP nto even a specialist) that i was undermedicated for my moderate colitis.
Im gonna try pentasa for 30 days see how it goes if it doesnt kick in ill go back to asacol. Im ready to try anything before the prednisone as im really scared of the side effects and my BM are lowers than 3 to 4 each day.
Thats the thing with meds and colitis... trials and errors oh what a blessing!
Posted 6/8/2011 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
My GI (Dr Maria Abreu, GI Dept Chair U of M, Miller School of Medicine) put me on it years ago for my UC as she prefers it's unique delivery system.
Posted 6/8/2011 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I know Pentasa isnt a comon route but its worth giving a try.
Its good as well because I started quality probiotics 2 weeks ago and the fist weeks gas are gone now.
Ill reintroduce psylium in a week and it would be too much for my system now i think.
Hope for the best in a few weeks.
Posted 6/8/2011 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
I've had better results with Pentasa for small flares than any other 5-ASAs. It worked within a few days for me, I felt the difference. But wasn't good enough to bring down big flares.
Asacol only worsened my symptoms, I'm not quite sure why even though they are in the same category of drugs.

Good luck!
Posted 6/8/2011 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've wanted to try Pentasa but my GI said it wouldn't help if Asacol doesn't help. I disagree but I don't think she will prescribe it for me, especially not right now while I am feeling somewhat stable.

Please let me know how you do on it. I hope you see good results!

Posted 6/8/2011 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Pentasa for a few years (eight tablets a day! and they're huge). Never helped me at all, in reducing symptoms, prolonging remission or preventing flares. However, my doc wanted me to keep taking it b/c supposedly it may reduce the risk of colon cancer. Hated taking it.
Posted 6/8/2011 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Awww well i find the capsules of pentasa a bit floury to my taste so you have to make sure to swallow it fast!
Its my second day on 8 pills a day and though my mornings are same... well i noticed i didnt have the hurge anymore after lunch today. And not coming home form work either wich I hope is gonna stay this way. I have less gas today as well and even yumyum had a nice ice cream!
It seems that pentasa have mixed opinions even with doctors.
ill keep you all informed how it goes.
I think the thing with UC is all about to try what works for us and there is never one treatment fits all!
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