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Lialda and sulfa allergies

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/5/2010 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have known sulfa allergies and my np recently switched me to Lialda. I read that you are not supposed to take this if you are allergic to sulfa drugs? Wonder why my doc prescribed this? I have felt horrible since taking it, stopped and went back to colazal. Anybody know anything about this? Thanx.
Posted 2/5/2010 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I could be wrong, but my understanding was that sulfasalazine - "azulphidine" - was the only oral 5-ASA with sulfa in it and that asacol, lialda, etc were made of 5-ASA without the sulfa component. being made without the sulfa component, they have less side effects but also are not helpful for RA, etc.
Posted 2/5/2010 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Songlady is right. Asacol, Pentasa, Lialda (mesalamines) do not contain sulfa. I am allergic to sulfa as well and I was on Asacol for 12 years with no issues other then it stopped working for me. It could be that you just can't tolerlate mesalamines. What symptoms were you having while on Lialda (such as why did it make you feel horrible)?
Posted 2/5/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I too am alergic to sulfa and saw the same warning you did. I asked my GI and he said there is no sulfa in Lialda... but people who have sulfa alergies tend to have a higher chance of having a reaction to the Lialda than those that don't. At any rate, i have been taking 6 lialda a day since July and haven't had any problems.

 

Posted 2/5/2010 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you guys are right. Lialda does have sulfa in it but you could still be sensitive to Lialda. I think it is rare but certainly possible. If it has made you feel worse you should stick with what works for you.
Posted 2/5/2010 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is like jc said, you are more likely to have a problem with lialda if you have sulfa allergies even though it is not a sulfa drug. Strange but I guess they didn't put the warning on there for nothing.

My diarrhea came back along with really bad gas that would press up against my diaphragm so hard it would put me out of breath. Sometimes I also felt like I was coming down with something after taking it. My left side started hurting pretty bad along with cramps. So, my np called today and said to go back to the colazal and take 3 X3 a day. Which is good, b/c I quit taking the lialda and started taking colazal last night. lol.. Thanks for the discussion, as always.
Posted 2/6/2010 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
I am also allergic to sulpha. I was on Lialda briefly a while back and never had any problems with it.
Posted 2/6/2010 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
I am allergic to sulfa. I've taken both asacol and lialda with no issue.
Posted 11/11/2011 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
I suffer from Crohn's Disease and just had a reaction to Lialda and Asacol because of the Sulfa in them. The following is information from the listed site.

Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used for a number of autoimmune conditions. Since it was first discovered, it has been found as a useful drug for ulcerative colitis. However, the medication is a sulfa drug and hence may cause allergies in susceptible people. To avoid these allergies, doctors today use a variety of similar drugs that provide similar effects but allow them to avoid the use of this agent. Other drugs which are useful in treating ulcerative colitis include corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/541112-sulfasalazine-allergies/

Posted 11/11/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I am allergic to sulfa and also take Lialda no problems. I do strangley have some problems w/ Canasa however.
B
Posted 11/11/2011 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure Geniegirl is a spammer.......she's giving the wrong information to boot!

For your information..........

There is NO SULFA in Lialda or Asacol or any other 5ASA orals except sulfasalazine (azulfadine).

There is a metabisulfite as preservative in the mesalamine enemas and the suppositories that some may have a reaction to.  There is also a sulfa-free mesalamine enema available in the US.

Again...Geniegirl has given misinformation...so don't take it for gospel.  DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH or ask LOTS of questions instead of ASSuming.



q

Posted 11/11/2011 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I thought it was only sulfasalazine and some of the enemas that have sulfa in them. I am intolerant to sulfa and had to stop sulfasalazine after a month. I took asacol for 6 months and colazal for 18 months and no problem with either.

There is a mesalamine intolerance that some people get. If you have this you might have a problem with any of the 5ASA drugs. That is not from sulfa.

"Mesalamine has been associated with an acute intolerance syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Although the exact frequency of occurrence has not been determined, it has occurred in 3% of patients in controlled clinical trials of mesalamine or sulfasalazine. Symptoms include cramping, acute abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, and sometimes fever, headache, and rash. Observe patients closely for worsening of these symptoms while on treatment. If acute intolerance syndrome is suspected, promptly discontinue treatment with LIALDA."

http://www.rxlist.com/lialda-drug.htm
Posted 11/12/2011 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
true, and some cannot take it at all.

q
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