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Asacol -> Colazal

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/14/2012 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Any advice for this transition? Cold turkey the Asacol and start on full dose of Colazal? Any experiences appreciated.
Posted 9/14/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I switched several years ago from Asacol to Balsalazide (generic Colazal). No side effects at all.
Posted 9/15/2012 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
I went cold turkey from Asacol to Colazal and I had an increase of symptoms for about 2 weeks but than I stabilized.
Posted 9/15/2012 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Cold turkey it is then. Thanks for the advice. Hoping that the Colazal will be more appropriate for the left sided UC.
Posted 9/15/2012 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
I switched cold turkey without a problem. I was in a minor flare, and my body wasn't breaking down the asacol tablets, so I switched to generic colazal. I think the swtich, along with other meds helped me out of the flare.

Good luck!
Posted 9/15/2012 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
     Doctor switched me from Asacol to Colazal about two years into my disease.  I suffered with UP (proctitis) and he felt the Colazal treated the rectum better than Asacol.   The only thing, I believe, Colazal did for me was to keep the ulcerations confined to the rectum.  It did NOT heal the rectum.  However, my disease never traveled further into the colon.  At time of my operation, my rectum was a mess, but the rest of the colon only had minor diverticulosis.  Anyone need a new colon out there?  Too bad mine had to go along with the rectum. rolleyes
Posted 9/18/2012 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
At the time I started oral 5-ASA med in 1980s, the doctor recommended easing onto it. For example, if the standard dose was 3 tabs/caps at mealtime, one would start with 1 tab/caps at mealtime, next day 2 tabs/caps at mealtime, & so forth. That was what I followed when starting out on Colazal in 2003. It proved to be the best 5-ASA treatment for my UC so I wish you equally good luck with it. Be sure to drink plenty of water daily to help it work effectively & keep your saliva flowing. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 9/18/2012 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Old Hat,

That ramp up makes sense. I'll remember it for the next time as I've already gone all in on the Colazal for 4 days. No major bad reactions so far so I'm probably going to be okay. Will need 6-8 weeks I imagine to see how it's working out for the inflammation. It was partially your comments here in the first place that pushed me to try a change in Mesalamine delivery mechanism. Side benefit is that it's cheaper than Asacol at least on my plan. Thanks for the advice on drinking lots of water. I need to remember to do that.
Posted 9/19/2012 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
You're welcome! Can you really tolerate sauerkraut? I do much better avoiding vinegars & marinades. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 9/19/2012 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
@Old Hat - I seem to be okay with the sauerkraut although I only eat small medicinal amounts. I started with cabbage juice then went to blended sauerkraut and now to grated sauerkraut.
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