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Noticing Full Pills in Stool (Asacol)--not absorbing them what to do?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/22/2013 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
This again, apologize is a "TMI" post. I have noticed for a while there are whole pills that are not just the outer shell of my Asacol. Has anyone else experienced this and what was the solution? Thanks for your help!
Posted 10/22/2013 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I guess recycling would be out -
Posted 10/22/2013 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking them on an empty stomach or with a meal?

What's the schedule of taking them?

How many full pills....all? one?

Is the shell cracked at all?

q

Posted 10/22/2013 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 4.8g of Asacol a day in the form of 12 tabs and now and then I see a whole one in my stool. My doc said not to worry as long as its not everyday. If it's really frequent you should bring it up with your doc.
Posted 10/22/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Are you usually having formed stools when this happens? This used to happen to me occasionally and it is kind of perplexing because if it is the Asacol which is actually responsible for forming up your stools in the first place then that means they are actually doing their job and it makes you wonder about screwing with success. On the other hand, it seems kind of stupid and expensive for pills to pass through unused. I believe that if stool starts forming around a particular pill early on in the digestive process then the ph level never really gets to the point of dissolving the outside layer. The only real solution to the problem is to get a prescription for a different Mesalamine which dissolves differently, but, as I said before, this could possibly screw up the success you are actually having with the Asacol. I would bring it up with the doctor if it is happening too much but don't just assume that by changing the prescription that you will get better or stay better. It might just simply be the fact that since you are better due to the Asacol then that is actually the place where you want to be. By the way, in the end, I switched to Lialda and I have never seen an unused pill yet.
Posted 10/22/2013 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently having the same problem. Seems to be most noticeable when I am spending too much time in the BR. My doctor also asked if the were split, and if power came out. When I split one, the inside was hard and not powdery like a Pentasa would be. They seem like they would have a really hard time dissolving. Since I am still flaring, I'm guessing that this is happening more than what I am seeing. Will find out from my GI when I ask tomorrow. I am taking 6 pills a day; morning, lunchtime and dinner. I used to take 3 in the am and 3 at night. Maybe the timing needs to be changed.
Posted 10/22/2013 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your responses.
A few follow up responses: I usually take my Asacol with meals (breakfast and lunch and then the last time around bedtime). Should I be taking it on empty stomach?

And I have been noticing it more and the pills are hard not shells/powder.

To my poster on Lialda--do you find Lialda provides good remission? Do you also happen to know if it is less $$$ than Asacol--that one is really expensive and if a switch would be more econonmical and less loss in the stool I would consider switching.

Yes, the stools have been formed (which only started once I began taking psyllium husk powder).

Thanks again everyone!!!
Posted 10/22/2013 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am a tough cookie when it comes to defining remission. To me remission means you are having zero problems and you live life like a totally normal person, whether you are taking meds or not. Using that definition I am not in remission and never have been. I think the price versus Asacol depends on your insurance. My doc gave me a Lialda prescription card so I have only been paying $480 per month as opposed to about $600 per month. Every insurance is different. The Lialda does just as good or better than Asacol in me and I have never once seen an unused Lialda pill in my stool yet. It could be that the psyllium husk powder is making you better to the point where the Asacol really isn't doing anything anymore. If you have the guts you may want to experiment for a few days by not taking any Asacol at all and see what happens. Unfortunately, that is rolling the dice. You could win or you could lose.
Posted 10/22/2013 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
I think this is pretty common in Asacol. It happened to me when I was on them and at support meetings I heard others complaining of the same thing. There such large pills, I guess they're easier to see than most other pills many with UC take.
Posted 10/22/2013 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol is encased in a thick, waxy coating. This helps keep it from dissolving in the stomach where it would do not good; once it gets to the colon the coating is broken down enough to release the medication. Many times what looks like undissolved tablets is really just this coating, which has remained essentially intact. Some of our members have even take the trouble to remove and inspect these tabs from their stools, and have found that they're empty. So you can't assume you aren't getting the medication necessarily.
Posted 10/22/2013 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I saw this a lot, and switched to lialda. Havent seen it since....
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