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Two different strengths of Asacol

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/28/2010 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Why are some people put on HD Asacol and others put on regular Asacol 400 mg. What's the difference? Should I ask for double strength instead of the single strength?
Posted 4/28/2010 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
The HD was introduced to compete with Lialda and Apriso, because with the HD you take less pills per day. However, I think they still recommend you take it 2-3 times during the day, where with Lialda and Apriso you can take it just once.
Posted 4/28/2010 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ellen,

Yep, it's Asacol's way of jumping on the less pills bandwagon. I was taking up to 12, 400mg pills per day, and it drove me crazy. My GI put me on Asacol HD 800mg, after I told him a was sick of popping pills every time I turned around. For me, the HD has worked A LOT better than the 400mg Asacol. My pharmacist did tell me that it takes longer to break down, and so the medicine might actually be getting where it's really needed. I started with 6 HD pills per day, 2 with each meal, and now I'm down to 4. They are BIG though, probably why it takes longer to break down. Like the size of a multi-vitamin I would say. Not hard to swallow though. I tolerated Asacol well side-effect wise, which is why my GI suggested it. My insurance would not cover it, which I was pissed about, but you can get a patient assistant card, which makes it $50 for me...
Posted 4/28/2010 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I just switched to the asacol HD...well still finishing the regulare asacol right now because it is so expensive and don't want to waste the meds...but i am really excited to not have to take pills 3 times a day and just twice!
Posted 4/28/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
That's all I need is another high co-pay on a UC med. Worth the multiple pills just to spend $15 a month -- at least for now.
Posted 4/28/2010 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
There is a slight difference in the coating I believe but it releases the contents at the same PH level. Competing drugs have come out with higher dosage strengths per pill. Therapies are also using higher dosages for inducing remission.

Asacol is going to lose it's patent protection soon and people like taking fewer pills. Simply put...its for the money.

Currently the price for Asacol and Asacol HD is about the same for the same dosage. That will change(I hope)

A clinical study came out (I believe funded by Lialda's maker) showing that taking split dosages isn't necessary to maintain remission. This opened the flood gate for a crop of new purple pills. The multiple dosing probably originates with sulfazine drugs which have very common adverse reactions which increase with dosage. Mesalimines have much fewer problems and higher dosages don't seem to increase them.

The difference between mesalimine drugs is the delivery method. Probably just a convenience thing with Asacol and Asacol HD. The drug companies claim that less pills means higher compliance which can outweigh some amount of less effectiveness. If it doesn't bother you to take a bunch of pills, take the one that costs you less.

I am taking Asacol HD because my GI doctor runs clinical trials from his office IMHO. I also stretch the monthly dosage 3 months and save the copay. Don't tell him or my insurance company.

wink
Posted 4/28/2010 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
The asacol HD actually costs me about 75 dollars less with the patient assist program then with the regular asacol. Also very exciting!
Posted 4/28/2010 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
The only problem with it is if you're going to taper....so if you were wanting to use the HD, wait until you're at a lower dosage...at least until you're a bit more established with what the 5ASA can do for you.

q
Posted 4/28/2010 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
That's awesome Lynn27! My insurance absolutely REFUSED to cover the HD, even though it actually costs less to them than my prescription for Asacol 400mg (at 12 pills/day). Go figure. Needless to say, I'm filing a grievance with my insurance company.

I highly recommend anyone who wants to switch to check out the patient assistance program, if you and your GI decide to go the HD route.
Posted 4/28/2010 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
smart thinking, Quincy. Too premature to think of HD.
Posted 4/29/2010 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
but it's an option...for later
Posted 4/29/2010 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
I switched to HD to take less pills too - though they're twice as big, so that was like the same difference to me. I used to take 4 asacol three times a day - now i take 3 HD twice a day. I self-changed my administration from three times a day because I was always missing my afternoon dose, and now that I'm regular it has been simple and improved.

Either Asacol or HD costs me (wait for it.....) $20 a day. When I get upset about that, my husband reminds me that I'm worth it. But still!!!!

What is the patient assist program?
Posted 4/29/2010 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Gentle Now,

You can ask your GI for a Patient Savings Card. That's where I got mine. Here is a phone number as well that's on my HD card (you have to take it to the pharmacy when you refill): 1-866-379-9569. You can also go to their website www.AsacolHD.com and click on the patients savings card activation link to enroll and to see if you qualify. It would worth if for sure if you're paying $20/day!!! :) It costs me $50/month.
Posted 4/29/2010 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
I switched from Asacol to Colazol about a year ago because I have proctosigmoiditis, and the way Colazol works it tends to be more effective for distal colon UC.

That being said, Asacol HD sounds like nothing more than a marketing ploy to me. How they can possibly justify one Asacol HD tablet costing a different price that two Asacol tablets boggles the imagination.
Posted 4/29/2010 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
All I know is that it works for me...better than Asacol 400mg. I don't know how or why, but I feel fabulous, and I just can't argue with that. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and what works for some of us, may not work for others.
Posted 4/30/2010 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi UC Mommam
I'm with you - even though taking one huge HD is no more convenient than two smaller Asacols, I can say that the HD seems to be "hitting the target" better.
Thank you SO MUCH for the savings information... I will call them tomorrow. Cross your fingers.
Hugs!
Posted 4/30/2010 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Gentle Now,

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you...let me know how it turns out!
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