Asacol (Mesalamine)

What is Asacol?

Asacol (mesalazane) — one of a group of anti-inflammatory drugs used in disorders of the intestine.

In what kind of disease treatment, Asacol is helpful?

The indicators for the application are ulcerative colitis (mild and moderate severity, maintenance treatment in remission) and Crohn's disease (maintenance treatment in remission).

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Asacol?

If besides the indicators for the use of this remedy, you suffer from any disturbances or any other pathology; your doctor will want to know about them all. In some cases, this will affect the size of dosage, duration of the course and sometimes even a need to choose a different tablet. Such contraindications are:

•        Hyper sensitivity to salicylates

•        Hyper sensitivity to any component of the drug

•        Expressed hepatic and kidneys dysfunction; with caution should be prescribed to patients with a higher concentration of urea in the blood and proteinuria

•        Gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer

•        Increased susceptibility to bleeding

•        Age under 2 years old

How should I take Asacol?

The daily quantity of the preparation for adults and children is equal.

The medicine must be prescribed cautiously for patients in older age group and only when preserving the normal kidney function.

Take the pills before eating, swallowing them whole without biting or breaking.

Ask your pharmacologist to answer your questions or read the information leaflet that you can get by purchasing Asacol online for lowest prices.

Asacol dosage information

Ulcerative colitis: for the treatment of mild to moderate severity form of the ailment daily dose is 2.4 — 4.8 g, divided into several stages.

With supportive treatment in remission daily intake is 1.2 — 2.4 g, parted into a few receptions.

Crohn's disease: with supportive treatment in remission daily intake is 2.4 grams, several times per day.

What may interact with?

With the simultaneous use of mesalazane absorption of digoxin reduces. Under the influence of mesalazane may be increased immunosuppressive activity of azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. Before the start of combination therapy should be monitored blood counts, especially the number of white blood cells and periodically repeated blood tests during the treatment. Mesalazane, during joint therapy, can reduce the effect of probenecid isulfinpirazon, furosemide and spironolactone.The severity of side effects of glucocorticoids towards the gastrointestinal tract at joint application with mesalazane increases.

What should I watch for while taking Asacol?

It is recommended to monitor renal function for all patients before initiation of the treatment with Asacol and during treatment according to the following scheme: after 14 days from the beginning of the therapy, then another 2 - 3 times at 4-week intervals. Under normal results such tests need to be repeated quarterly. With signs of renal dysfunction more detailed research is needed. At the same pattern should be carried out blood analyzes.

Close monitoring of the patient is needed in violation of respiratory function, especially the appearance of asthmatic attacks.

If a patient struggle with hyper sensitivity to sulfasalazine, treatment must be carried out only under constant medical supervision and immediately stop with the first signs of acute intolerance.

Generic Asacol could be administered during pregnancy and lactation only under strict indications, considering the curing benefit for the mother and the possible risk to the fetus.

The drug does not affect the ability to focus and manage motor vehicles.

Asacol side effects

Carefully read the list below. If you suspect the occurrence of at least one side effect consult a doctor.

• Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, hepatitis and pancreatitis

• Palpitations, tachycardia, increased or decreased blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, anemia (hemolytic, megaloblastic, aplastic), leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypoprothrombinemia

• Headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, depression, malaise, paresthesia, seizures, tremors and tinnitus

• Proteinuria, hematuria, crystalluria, nephrotic syndrome, oligospermia

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, pruritus, erythema, bronchospasm

• Fever, photosensitivity, lupus-like syndrome, alopecia, decreased production of tear fluid, may increase the level of methemoglobin

Where can I keep Asacol?

Keep out of reach of children at a temperature not above 25° C. Check the validity and integrity of the packaging at a pharmacy or order Asacol online with USA drugstore international shipping.