mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) (Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol, Lialda, Canasa)

Anybody have problems tolerating mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) (Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol, Lialda, Canasa)

Either orally or enema (rowasa)?

If so what symptoms did you get? How did you know you were reacting to the drug?

Thanks

I was on mezavant oral (5-Asa) for awhile, but started getting headaches from them so stopped. And i believe the pentasa enemas were causing facial flushing for me also, along with mild headaches.

It's too bad because i found they kept me relatively stable for months at a time. VS now which has been an on and off constant flare without the mezavant.

There are many that are on the 5-asa for years though and have no side effects, plus swear by them. You'll have a better idea once more replies come in. I think they are one of the best for maintenance...

I was recently put on steroid enemas because the pentasa enemas on their own were not enough to keep me from flaring. Even with all the probiotics, vitamins, etc.. I am trying some diet modifications now, and seeing my doc again soon. It's too bad i cannot tolerate the mezavant...

Hope that helps and good luck

I started on Rowasa - made me worse in about a week - on to Colozal, LIalda, mesalamine suppositories ane other oral 5asa.  ALL made me sicker - symptoms such as blood and mucous got worse also along with the headaches, body aches, sweating, nausea, flu-like!!  Stopped them all and finally convinced my gastro doctor I cannot tolerate any mesalamine.  I went from there to Prednisone and 6mp.  Found not to be able to tolerate 6mp strong enough to help (also caused same nausea, headaches, etc. over 50 mg.)  Prednisone for 5 months put me into near remission - so close.  I found a new specialist who prescribed rectal steroid foam - Cortifoam and Anusol suppositories.  Three a day - Anusol after Cortifoam.  I used 3 times a day for about a week and then 2 a day until my symptoms were under control - no more blood/mucous/urgency/diarrhea - then tapered per my doctor to about once a week now.  That is since last November and I feel pretty good.  Still wake up sometimes with sweating and nausea - but BM's are normal if I control my IBS = and eat what I know does not affect that.

Seeing a new gastro doctor next week (specialist is just too far to drive) and probably time for a new scope, etc.  I will not take 5asa's again.

I would prefer prednisone!

ElaineNY

I am having a hard time figuring out if the oral 5ASAs are helping or hurting me. Seems like every time I add them in my pred taper goes all to heck. But, it could just be that my body doesn't like the pred. taper. Although, when this flare first started I was put on Asacol for the first time with Hydrocortisone enemas and after about 4 weeks I went from bad to worse. It's so hard to tell if the Asacol slowed the progression or if it contributed to the flare.

Same as Elaine for me- all make me much, much sicker.  Violent D, incredible pain throughout gut, just the most awful feelings imaginable.  Complete and useless garbage for me in all its forms.  Granted, I know for many it is a wonder drug of sorts- just not for me.

Asacol gave me horrible joint pain. Maybe I'll ask for a different kind next time and see if it's any better.

Sorry I brought up an old post but the info was very related.
Thx

I need to stop taking one of my meds.  I have discomfort in my chest and rapid heart beat.  Checked this morning at 167/88   90 bps

I'm thinking its the Apriso since I had the same problem on Liada.

Currently taking 20mg of pred and 4 Apriso pills morning and night.  Trying to get in remission.

Could the Prednisone also cause this blood pressure and heart rate problem? 

I am very uncomfortable and have not taken any meds this morning.  I have a call in to my GI but they never seem to know for sure.  They just want to give me something different.

 

I've been on Asacol HD for 6 months now with no issues. I had severe muscle cramping when I tried Lialda.

Asacol made my symptoms - diarrhea, bleeding, mucus, pain - a lot worse. It was obvious after only a couple of days on the med. Stopped when I stopped the Asacol, came back as soon as I restarted it. Rowasa did the same thing. I've always tolerated Balsalazide, though.

Scott, I remember seeing those huge rigid scopes before the flexible ones were developed. I doubt you could see much with them, either!