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Long Term Asacol Use

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Posted 10/27/2011 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Looking for some input please....I have been on Asacol 17 years now and it has worked well for the most part to keep flares at bay (or maybe not as I have never stopped taking it so maybe my body has kept the flares at bay naturally?). Lately I have been having upper abdominal pain that radiates to my upper back, frequent periods of nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, foggy headedness and lack of appetite. However, my bowel habits are unaffected. Both my GP and GI Doc's are at a loss to explain my symptoms and a battery of ordered tests have all come back negative. I am left wondering about the long-term affects of Asacol.

Has anyone been on Asacol for 20+ years? If so, any side effects?

Has anyone whose been on Asacol long term experimented with discontinuing use or changing meds?

Any other ideas as to why a long-term UC sufferer such as me suddenly finds myself dealing with upper abdominal pain that radiates to my upper back, frequent periods of nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, foggy headedness and lack of appetite?
Posted 10/27/2011 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
What you describe doesn't sound like anything Asacol would do. I assume your drs have checked your liver and kidney function and that's all fine. Has anyone done a gallbladder study? Have you had your vitamin D levels checked? Have you considered lactose intolerance as a source of the nausea? Have you considered gluten intolerance as a source of the foggy head?
Posted 11/8/2011 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks kazbern. I have wondered about gluten intolerance as well. Is this something that can occur in one's mid-30's with no prior warnings?

Dr's have checked various causes, had colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, CT scan and various blood work, all have come back negative. My insurance has recently switched me to generic asacol, and looking back, my symptoms have seemed to have built since then.

Any one out there who can comment on long term asacol/generic asacol tolerances or intolerances?

Any other ideas as to why a long-term UC sufferer such as me suddenly finds myself dealing with upper right abdominal pain that radiates to my upper back, frequent periods of nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, foggy headedness and lack of appetite?
Posted 11/8/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
There is no generic Asacol. Did they switch you to another drug and maybe that is what you reacted to?
Posted 11/8/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I was switched to TEVA 5-ASA. I was told it is a generic Asacol:

http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=917&rot=4

thoughts?
Posted 11/8/2011 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
What are the tests you've had exactly?

Have you had an MRCP? it's an abdominal/liver/pancreas, etc MRI....

q
Posted 11/8/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Do you live in the U.S.? Asacol is still under patent so there can't be generics yet. I've never heard of TEVA 5-ASA before, but if all your symptoms started after being switched to this medicine I would think that's your cause. I would ask your doctor to write a note saying you must be on Asacol that you can bring to your pharmacy/insurance company so they will cover it.
Posted 11/8/2011 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Just found this:
http://colitis.emedtv.com/asacol/generic-asacol.html

"Asacol is manufactured by Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic Asacol from being manufactured. Yet, search the Internet for "generic Asacol" and you will find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic Asacol until there is an approved generic available."
Posted 11/8/2011 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes, good find Sara14!

Sue
Posted 11/8/2011 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info folks. Now I'm paranoid that my issues stem back to the switchover from Asacol to this generic TEVA 5-ASA. I believe TEVA 5-ASA is only available in Canada. Anyone else been on Asacol and been switched over to TEVA 5-ASA?

Quincy, I have only had an abdominal CT scan. Should I inquire with my GI doc for a MRCP?
Posted 11/8/2011 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I would switch back to Asacol, asap. It's very suspicious that hardly anything comes up when you Google Teva 5-ASA and I've never heard of anyone taking it (and I'm on this forum a lot...). Definitely ask your doctor about this.

Did you have any of these symptoms before you switched to the Teva 5 ASA?

BTW -- I've heard many complaints about Teva's generic version of wellbutrin...apparently it doesn't work the same way as the brand name or other generic versions.

Posted 11/8/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sara14. I thought it was odd when my doc asked me unprompted if I was having any 'problems' with the Teva 5-ASA. I am thinking he would only ask such a question if he knew of issues or other patients having issues.

No, I had no symptoms of upper abdominal pain that radiates to my upper back, frequent periods of nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, foggy headedness and lack of appetite prior to the switch over.

I am trying to root cause this issue. Wondering if it is long term Asacol use? Generic Asacol TEVA 5-ASA use? UC related? or something unrelated all together...

Thoughts anyone?
Posted 11/9/2011 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
TEVA is a large pharmaceutical company that makes generics of many different meds. I would find it unlikely that there is anything wrong with the medication. On the other hand, each of us responds differently to every medication, and it is entirely possible that you are reacting to this specific formulation.

I am taking a generic of colazal, and I've read here that others can't tolerate the generic. It's not uncommon. Talk to your DR.
Posted 11/9/2011 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Asacol for more than 20 years, not a generic. Started it even before it was approved, because I participated in the drug trial. I am healthy except for the UC and the usual aches and pains for everyone my age. Now I use Remicade, don't need it anymore!
Posted 11/10/2011 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
What country are you in?

TEVA is an Indian manufactured generic. I think it is sold in Canada along with a Canadian manufactured generic. The US has no generic asacol
Posted 11/10/2011 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I don't understand how they can have a generic if Asacol's patent isn't up until 2013.
Posted 11/10/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
     The cort enema I took was manufactured by Teva. 
Posted 11/10/2011 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Peety, thanks for the response, glad to connect with another long-term Asacol user. AZYooper, I am in Canada.

I spoke to my doc about the generic Asacol and he indicated he has some patients who've reported problems since the switchover from Asacol to TEVA 5-ASA. He rewrote my RX for Asacol 800mg and wrote 'no substitues.' I'll just keep my fingers crossed that my insurance company approves the claim. It doesn't really make sense that the generic would trigger the symptoms I am having (upper abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea) but it is worth a shot.

Another question for the community regarding Asacol and alcohol. When I was young and stupid, I partook in binge drinking a few times a week while on Asacol over the course of about 12 years. I am wiser now and only drink socially on occasion. I am wondering what the effects of this binge drinking and Asacol has had or is having on my system?

Can anyone comment with advice or experiences of Asacol and alcohol consumption?
Posted 11/10/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
I, too, started Asacol before it was openly available, back in 1987-88. No issues, other than it stopped being effective for me.
Posted 11/10/2011 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am pretty sure there is also a Canadian made generic if they won't pay for asacol brand. I was looking into buying a generic from Canada and there were complaints about the Indian made drug from some people
Posted 11/10/2011 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Alcohol and asacol probably is not a problem but heavy drinking and UC might be. Liver problems with 5asa drugs is very rare
Posted 12/4/2011 9:09 AM (GMT 0)
Do you have anything other side effects like sleeping problems or migraines? have your hands gotten bigger over the years?
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