Entocort

My doctor agreed to let me go off the Imuran which I believe was causing the side effects I was originally blaming on prednisone withdrawal. (extreme fatigue, dizziness). Three days off of it after my ER visit I felt much better on that front, one day back on and the whole dizziness and fighting not to fall asleep at work was back.

So she prescribed Entocort to replace it, but when I went to pick up my prescription it was a $75 copay (ouch) but the pharmacist said it's supposed to be going generic soon. I said I'd wait and call my doctor on that.

Then I went and looked up what this new-to-me drug is when I got home and see that it's another steroid! I'm really not liking the sound of that after finally getting off prednisone. I've lost five pounds of the 30 I gained without trying thankfully (since I haven't had the energy to "try" anyway) but I'm overweight to begin with and really don't want to add anything to my fight to get in shape.

Personally I'd really like to see how my body reacts to just the mesalamine from both ends and the natural stuff (probiotics and fiber pills) but my doctor was saying Lialda is for mild colitis while mine is more moderate.

Which is kind of funny because Shire just sent me another one of those welcome packages for some reason, talking about how they're for "mild to moderate colitis" including the little "pocket guide" you're supposed to carry with you everywhere you go so you'll have all the information on hand about your mild to moderate colitis. (Quoting from memory so that might be a bit off.) But seriously, who's been out and wondered "Why do I keep having to run to the bathroom?" *looks at pocket guide* "Oh yeah, that's why!"

But anyway the original topic, Entocort - good? bad? Scary? Indifferent?

Entocort is a much kinder steroid because it is targeted to release in the gut and not throughout your body as much. I took it and had no weight gain, moon face or most of the nasty prednisone side effects and I tend to get side effects. I did have bruising on my legs and arms however but felt so full of energy I thought I was Superwoman lol.

I couldn't handle 6mp (Imuran clone) either, bad side effects and no positive benefits for my UC.

They called my UC mild too haha. Pretty funny how having your life dominated by UC is "mild". That term refers to what they can see in your c-scope and not how bad your life is.

So anyway-should you take it? Probably. But if the Lialda is not helping is your doc proposing switching to something else (mesalamine based but a different formulation)? Because Entocort is only taken for a few weeks to kinda jumpstart the remission so the milder drugs can grab hold.

My own UC story is no success with any of the meds and I wouldn't accept biologics (Humira or Remicade) and I thank God that diet mod. finally worked. Take my suggestions for what they are worth and do the best you can.

Your $75 copay for entocort sounds nice to me - I paid $300 for my copay way back 3 years ago when I was on it!

But the other posters are right - entocort is a wonderful drug and will not give you systemic side effects like pred, at least not when you use it for 6 months or less.

I was unsuccessful last time so trying again. I'm a new member so bare with me. I was diagnosed with colitis and am just learning what that means. It has been 7 months now.
I took Entocort and it cost me $150 with my insurance. It worked fast and gave me relief after months of pain. Now 7 months later my stomach is burning again and I'm spending much time in the bathroom again. Have to fork out the $$$ again. I know no one who has this. I'm glad to join this website. Can someone tell me will Malox or Benefiber give any relief?
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58 diagnosed with lymphotic colitis
in sept 2010
Entocort only drug this year
had a 7 month remission now in flare up