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Canasa vs Rowesa

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/25/2009 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
My GI had told me that the Rowesa was more effective so I had been trying to use that more, but for a while I just couldn't seem to hold it in and switched to the Canasa. I am finding that the Canasa is working a lot better for me. No more blood for one thing, and I'm a week away from my next Remicade infusion, and the last week is when I typically had the most problems with blood and mucous making appearances. My morning BMs have gone from 3-5 on Rowesa down to 1-3 with Canasa. So I am going to stick with that for the time being, it's a lot easier to use as well, although more expensive ... my copay on Rowesa is $5 and the Canasa is $25. Because the Rowesa is generic and the Canasa isn't yet.

Meesh
Posted 1/25/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Meesh--

I use both depending on what the situation is. I use rowasa before I go to bed or if I'm at home on a really bad pain day, I take rowasa and likely head back to bed to let it do its thing. I use the canasa whenever I can't stay in bed as I have no issues keeping things in. I don't really find one working better than the other. But because I start Humira two weeks ago, I've been using either rowasa or canasa non-stop it seems to get the UC under control and help the Humira do its thing. I'm slowly...very slowly seeing improvement.

Regarding rowasa, something that may help you keep things in is to submerge most of the bottle in warm or hot water for a few minutes. I find that if I put a cold dose in, I cramp and have to evac-- but if I get it warmed up, I have no problems. Also, I squeeze out ALL of the air. Air is baaaaad.
Posted 1/25/2009 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
The primary difference is what area of the colon they treat. Canasa treats the rectum only, so is helpful with proctitis. The Rowasa goes higher, treating both the rectum and sigmoid colon, so is more effective for proctosigmoiditis.
Posted 1/25/2009 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ah ... well according to my last colonoscopy in October, the Remicade has healed virtually all my colon except the last 8 cm of my rectum. So I guess the Canasa being used there twice a day (and staying put) is indeed more effective. I may ask for a look-see of that end in the Spring to see if it's improved any. As I recall, the prep for the quick peak up the butt isn't as awful or involved as the c-scope prep.

Just went through my medication receipts for 2008, slightly less than in 2007 when I in flare much of the year, but still pretty darn high. I can't believe I am putting almost $600 up my butt twice a day. Man that stuff is pricey, thank goodness my copay is $25 (of course it's a top-tier drug). I think it's more than gold costs, by weight.

I know drug research costs money and all, but I sure hope "they" can figure out how to reel in drug costs, that would go a long ways towards making health care a lot more affordable. I know my Remicade infusions alone cost my insurance company more per year than I earn, and I make a fairly comfortable living. (I'm almost waiting for someone from the insurance company to come to my door and offer me money to get the surgery, it would surely cost them a lot less in the end.)

Meesh
Posted 1/26/2009 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with you, Meesh, Canasa is outrageously overpriced! If it makes you feel any better, though, my insurance will only pay ca. 40-50% of the cost of original med once the generic comes on the market. That gives me a $245 co-pay for every Colazal refill now, which I have to get because the generic gives me D plus a nasty headache at base of skull. Did you read Julee70's recent posts about mesalamine rectal foam? She bought a big supply of it while traveling abroad, and finds it very helpful. It is still not available in North America, probably because Canasa patent holders are keeping competition away to hang on to their profits. Hope you continue to keep symptoms at bay 'til your next infusion. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 1/26/2009 10:22 PM (GMT 0)

Judilyn said...
The primary difference is what area of the colon they treat. Canasa treats the rectum only, so is helpful with proctitis. The Rowasa goes higher, treating both the rectum and sigmoid colon, so is more effective for proctosigmoiditis.

Maybe I should ask my GI doc about the Rowasa. I've had this left side pain that feels like a gas bubble for about a week. The last time I had it my GI doc took me off of my colozal pills for a week. He was thinking my UC has progressed upward towards the bend in my colon.
Posted 3/2/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Canasa is very expensive but the pharamceutical company that makes it, Axcan, has a patient assistance program that can bring your cost down to $2 a month. I have a medical card from Axcan and I get a months supply for $2. It is great! If I didn't join this site, I wouldn't have even known it was an option.
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