Question for UK patients, Asacol being replaced with Octasa

Hello everyone.

So today I got a letter from the GP's saying that in the UK, Asacol is being replaced with Octasa.

I have been googling it and trying to find out what the difference is, so far I haven't found much information that was not commissioned by Octasa's manufacturers.

Has anyone on here already made the switch? (I know it's unlikely but thought I would ask anyway.)

What were/are your experiences?

Thanks for the reply, sorry it's been ages as I have been burying my head in the sand again, still waiting for counselling.

Thanks, I did find the same thing about the coating being different and discussed it with my specialist nurse, who recommended trying it and said I can go back on Asacol if any problems.

It's only been a couple of weeks so not sure as first couple of days were a bit dodgy, but it's hard to tell if that was just coincidence or not. A few days in, I did have lamb at a pub/restaurant and was ill after, but I am not sure if it was that place or the Octasa.

They are changing the UK patients over because it is a cheaper drug. Thanks NHS!

Will update if any problems, although my nurse did say that a couple of her welsh patients (Wales was changed over first, before England) became ill on it and had to switch back.

There's always slight differences, different coatings, different release rates and points, etc. There's few, if any, studies comparing these medications directly against each other. Anecdotally, some here do better on one than another. So, at least you have that choice should you get worse after changing medications. I'd try the new medication and keep a close watch on my symptoms.