Undissolved Lialda

Wondering if anyone has had similar circumstances...

I've been on 4.8g (4 tablets daily) of Lialda since May 2009.  While it has not been completely successful at keeping symptoms completely at bay, it has helped.  However, I regularly find undissolved pills.  Some are partially dissolved, other just barely and I can see the dark orange coating and numbers on the tablet.  I've been tracking it since the first of the year and on average I see 2-3 a week.  I've tried splitting the dosage (two in the am/two in the pm), but that does not seem to make any difference.  I usually see them when the stool is a bit looser, but sometime with formed stool as well.

I've discussed this with my doctor who feels that 2-3 tablets a week is nothing to be alarmed about, but I question if I am getting the full effect of the medicine if they are not dissolving properly.  Plus, with the high cost of Lialda, it's a bit frustrating to see them come out intact!

I've also taken Asacol, Asacol HD and Apriso.  Used to see the Asacol as well and my doctor does not feel any of the other 5ASAs would work any better.

I know they dissolve based on gut ph, and am wondering if there is anything I can do to help them dissolve. 

Ideas or opinions appreciated!

Sometimes it's just the casing of the medication and not a fully intact pill. I have seen them too, intact pills (I believe) and the casing of the pills. I think Apriso dissolves at a lower pH and may be more effective for some but it's a lower dose medication which may make it less effective for some people. If Lialda is working for you, I would stick with it. If it's not working, I would try Apriso or Colazal and see how it works. You should also probably use some kind of rectal meds to keep any rectal inflammation at bay. I notice I see more pills in the toilet when I am flaring, even if it's very mild, when I am in remission, I rarely see them.

Another thing that may be worth trying is regular Asacol. They are only 400mg each, one undissolved pill isn't as much lost medication.