HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

ASACOL-Mesalazine ANXIETY

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/12/2013 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have had ulcerative colitis for over 27 years. For the last 12 years I thought I was in remission with diet and 3 years checkups. Than I had a colonscopy and was told it was active and mild. I was prescribed asacol for mild left sided colitis. 400mg 3 times a day. I cannot say enough about how misinformed I was from my doctors. Gastro(who prescribed)-Cardiologist (for racing heart)- GP for anxiety, Express scripts and CVS pharmacy asking them how I got anxiety as soon as I started taking this drug. No way they said that it could be the cause. I was on it for 3 months. Went to get Xanax for the anxiety thank god for Costco. The pharmacist when I asked about Xanax and the side effects asked what other meds I was on. When he heard Asacol he said that many people have anxiety issues with sulfa based medicines like Asacol (mesalazine). I thought OMG I can't believe 3 months of hell. I couldn't sleep, racing heart, feeling like I was a nutcase or hypochondriac. If you have these symptoms you are not alone. I am starting on aloe vera gel and boswellia. I researched it extensively as it is pretty powerful.  Here is hoping. My Gastro wants me to try Lialda but I don't know as it is Mesalazine based too!
Posted 1/12/2013 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JJ-
Welcome to the forum.
I believe that there are differences in the available mesalamine drugs.
I have taken generic Colazal (balsalazide) for many years and have had no problems with it.

Have you considered trying mesalamine enemas?
My last cscope revealed some remaining inflammation on the left side so I requested a prescription.

Do you take probiotics? I use them daily.
I also use supplements and take slippery elm nightly to soothe my digestive tract.
Good luck.
Posted 1/12/2013 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
That's interesting. I took asacol in my teens, and I had many anxiety issues then, which took me years to overcome..there may be a lawsuit in the future with some of these lawyers who go after drug companies if they can prove it.
Posted 1/12/2013 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
The Costo pharmacist was just flat-out wrong.

"Asacol (400 mg), available only by prescription, is a sulfa-free 5-ASA medication indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate flare-ups (2.4 g/day)"

No sulfa! None. Take the man's license away.


I did not see anxiety as a side-effect required by FDA labeling guidelines, but mild or moderate anxiety is reported by some people at consumer sites. (These are not verified, and may be due to something else.) Heartbeat issues is on the list too. So maybe you do have this particular sensitivity, But I did not see any reports of severe anxiety. :

Commonly Reported Mesalazine Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on: None Mild Moderate Strong Severe

Allergic Reaction 76.2% 0% 14.3% 9.5% 0%

Anxiety 71.4% 14.3% 14.3% 0% 0%

Blurred Vision 85.7% 14.3% 0% 0% 0%
Breast Tenderness 66.7% 0% 33.3% 0% 0%
Breathing Difficulties 71.4% 14.3% 0% 14.3% 0%
Cold Symptoms 71.4% 14.3% 14.3% 0% 0%
Confusion 71.4% 28.6% 0% 0% 0%
Constipation 78.6% 7.1% 14.3% 0% 0%
Depression 85.7% 0% 0% 14.3% 0%
Diarrhea 30% 30% 10% 20% 10%
Dizziness 57.1% 19% 14.3% 4.8% 4.8%
Drowsiness 80% 0% 0% 20% 0%
Dry Mouth 0% 0% 0% 100% 0%
Fatigue 42.9% 14.3% 23.8% 14.3% 4.8%
Gas 50% 0% 20% 30% 0%
General Discomfort 0% 0% 100% 0% 0%
Headache 47.6% 9.5% 14.3% 19% 9.5%
Indigestion 66.7% 0% 0% 33.3% 0%
Insomnia 71.4% 0% 0% 28.6% 0%
Irregular Heartbeat 85.7% 14.3% 0% 0% 0%
Mood Swings 57.1% 28.6% 14.3% 0% 0%
Muscle / Joint Pain 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%
Muscle Cramping 85.7% 14.3% 0% 0% 0%
Nausea 66.7% 9.5% 9.5% 9.5% 4.8%
Runny Nose 0% 100% 0% 0% 0%
Skin Rash 92.9% 7.1% 0% 0% 0%
Stomach Ache 57.1% 28.6% 0% 14.3% 0%

Post Edited (DBwithUC) : 1/12/2013 2:34:02 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/13/2013 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Right, no sulfa! I am mildly allergic to sulfa but took asacol for decades.
Posted 1/13/2013 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
asacol oral has no sulfa.
Posted 1/14/2013 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know about statistics but my anxiety has been worse since being on pentasa, and I have read it as a side affect. Lucky for me I already had it so I was a step ahead.
Posted 1/14/2013 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
asacol always makes me feel jittery and nervous
Posted 1/14/2013 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have pretty bad general anxiety and have my whole life. I didn't notice a difference on the asacol. Or maybe I'd just already hit my peak? Lol I'm on 1600 mg 3 times a day of asacol. I take Prozac and Xanax for the anxiety, but I don't doubt I'll need those my whole life just at baseline.
Posted 1/15/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Could the panic / anxiety be related to the flare itself?

The first several times I saw my GI, I burst into tears. He told me that, being an auto immune disease, UC itself can cause anxiety and panic as a physical side effect, not to mention what having to be "toilet aware" (knowing where one is at all times) can do to you.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply