What is Asacol (Mesalamine) used for?
Asacol is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (a bowel disease). It assists in reducing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis (rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and stomach pain). Mesalamine is an aminoslicylate which works by decreasing swelling throughout the colon.
Asacol Information
Other Uses for Asacol?
This section is for the uses of Asacol that do not appear in the approved labelling for Asacol but that your doctor might prescribe to you. Only buy Asacol online for the following condition if you have been prescribed it by your doctor. Asacol may be used for Crohn’s disease.
How to Use Asacol?
Take this medication orally either with food or without as instructed by your doctor, generally 3 times per day. Swallow Asacol whole as crushing, chewing, or breaking mesalamine can affect the way the drug is released into the colon, decreasing its efficacy. Your dosage will be based on your response to treatment and your medical condition. The dosage is also based on weight in children. Different brands of Asacol may deliver different amounts of the medication. Therefore, don’t switch brands without talking to your doctor first. Asacol must be used regularly to get the most benefit out of it so take it at the same time daily to help you remember. If your condition gets worse make sure to consult with your doctor.
What are the drug interactions with Asacol?
Although some medications should never be used together, in other cases two medications can be used simultaneously even though they interact. In these cases, your doctor may change the dose or take other necessary precautions.
The following medications may interact with Asacol:
- Mercaptopurine
- Varicella Virus Vaccine
- Tamarind
- Warfarin
This is not an exhaustive list of drugs that can interact with Asacol. Always give your doctor a list of the prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as herbal products you may be taking. This will allow them to better monitor for drug interactions and ensure you won’t experience any negative side effects.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergy to sulfasalazine —May cause side effects to become worse.
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
- Liver disease—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The capsules contain aspartame, which may require caution in patients with PKU.
This is not a complete list of interactions that may interfere with your Asacol. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about drug interactions.
Asacol Coupon
