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UK patients.. Has your 5-ASA been switched?

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Posted 6/14/2017 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys, been away from here for a while because I'm doing well 🙌

My GP has suddenly decided to switch my Asacol to Octasa without informing me (found out when I went to collect my prescription). My consultant never mentioned I needed to swap, he told me I was doing well on Asacol. I called up the IBD nurse and was told the swap was due to NHS cutbacks and that everyone on Asacol will be switching.

How true is this? Have you had yours switched?

Post Edited (ICantTrustMyGut) : 6/14/2017 10:12:01 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/14/2017 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Does it cost you more? What does your pharmacist say about it? Seems it will release in the same process as asacol.

q
Posted 6/14/2017 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
No it doesn't cost me any more. My only qualm was that I'm doing great on Asacol and I don't want to rock the boat, it's taken a long time to get to where I'm at now.
Posted 6/14/2017 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
All you can do is try it. I, who have been on asacol and now the generic for 28 years, wouldnt worry about the change if it's still 800mg. Stick with your med regimen and please add rectal meds at first symptoms of a flare.

Keep us posted.

q
Posted 6/14/2017 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Octasa is an interesting choice, it's an older UC medication like Sulfasalazine or Colazol. Likely cheaper.

I'd say try it with an open mind and report back to us on how it goes. There are a lot of similar meds, here on the other side of the pond, it's common to have our medications switched due to health insurance mandates. Often that change is uneventful. If your symptoms were to get worse due to this change then contact your gasteroenteroligist as soon as you can! At least here, you can get an exception if the prior med worked better for you than the new.
Posted 6/14/2017 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, that puts my mind at ease. My first thought was panic, and I know that won't help my UC.

I have used rectal meds in the past, my GP was very reluctant to prescribe them even though they were requested by the consultant. Seems that GP's don't like it when it appears on their surgery budget rather than the hospital's. Or maybe I need to find a new GP..

Post Edited (ICantTrustMyGut) : 6/15/2017 4:17:11 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/15/2017 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Octasa and asacol are the same ingredients with same coating and release. Not at all like Colazal...which is balsalazide.

Yes, you need to get on rectal meds during flares and you should taper to maintenance dosage. Does your GP not understand that ulcerative colitis starts at the rectum.....and oral mesalami e does not treat it effectively?? If not, maybe request them, period.

q
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