Lialda vs. Asacol HD vs. Delzicol

I don't think the eating thing has anything to do with Delzicol. From what I understand since the product was not tested versus with or without food the FDA required them to put that warning on the label. If it had been tested the warning would probably not be there.

Digerati: I think you are being waaaay to cautious on the medication thing. Even though there are many UC meds that have a variety of serious warnings, the Mesamalines can almost always be taken safely for years and years and years. You are actually taking more risks in not taking them because future flares often get harder and harder to treat, requiring you to go higher and higher up the med ladder, which would be far worse than just sucking it up and taking Mesamalines forever.

All of these meds are going to cost you. I'm betting your insurance is picking up the tab, at least partially. Usually the full cost is in the $500-$600 per month neighborhood.

I'm sooooo tired of the middle class being conned by big business .... Especially how health insurance and pharmaceutical companies make these huge profits on our illnesses while we struggle to work and support their greed while fighting these diseases!

I was finally treated w asacol some 20 yrs ago and found to keep my symptoms at bay ... then switched to asacol HD last year - now doc gave me delzicol samples and I have been taking 2 AsacolHD in mornings and 3 or 4 delzicol in the evening the past week. I too get a medicinal taste when swallowing the delzicol (but quickly goes away). And just this morning discovered that the capsule is nothing more than a housing for the old 400 mg asacol. What an injustice to our pocketbooks - wth??! Why change when the asacol HD was working ... all BS ... pharmi just trying to be creative to charge more for the same drug. How is this not illegal?

I agree Gary
It all part of the greed factor - I would suspect pharmis kick back to doctors to promote new rxs but it's the pharmis that are holding these carrots in front of the doctors. I actually like asacol HD much more than 400 mg - less pills to swallow - I will continue w the HD but because my income has recently dropped considerably my doc actually gave me a (month) supply of delzicol samples... my point is the pharmis have no reason to be promoting the same drug - in different packaging to get more money. Why doesn't the FDA prohibit this craziness? (Mutual fund companies can no longer in entice broker dealers with kick backs - why is it ok for pharmis? And you're correct doctors are unethical to accept them - why, if this is the case, allowed as well?
By the way, I'm sure your doc would be enticed as well should pentasa lose its patent (like asacol)

I've been taking Delzicol for 2.5 months or so (switched from Balsalazide). It's been working well for me!