Asacol (Mesalamine)

What is Asacol?

Asacol (mesalamine) is an aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory drug.

What is Asacol used for?

Asacol is indicated for the treatment of a type of bowel disease called ulcerative colitis. The drug does not cure the disease. Rather, it reduces the symptoms of the disease. Asacol is also used to treat proctitis and proctosigmoiditis.

How does Asacol work?

Asacol works by keeping your body from making certain natural chemicals that can cause pain and swelling in the colon. The drug primarily affects a substance in the body that is responsible for causing diarrhea, tissue damage and inflammation.

How to use Asacol

Asacol should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

Asacol is taken by mouth, usually thrice daily, with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet. Swallow it. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Asacol warnings and precautions

Do not use this drug if you are allergic to mesalamine, aspirin or other salicylates (e.g., Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Disalcid, Tricosal). Prior to taking Asacol, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, asthma, pancreatitis, congestive heart failure, pyloric stenosis (a stomach condition) or if you have a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

Avoid drinking alcohol and do not perform activities that require alertness.

Although the dug is not expected to cause harm to an unborn child, pregnant women should not use this drug without consulting their doctors.

Mesalamine can pass into breast milk and may cause harm to a nursing baby. Therefore, lactating women should not use the drug, unless prescribed by the doctor.

What do I do if I have missed a Asacol dose?

If you have missed your Asacol dose, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next (scheduled) dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Asacol overdose?

If you have taken an Asacol overdose you should seek medical attention.

Asacol interactions

Before taking Asacol, consult your doctor if you are taking drugs like tacrolimus (Prograf), pentamidine (Pentam, Nebupent), mercaptopurine (Purinethol) or azathioprine (Imuran); amphotericin B (AmBisome, Amphotec, Fungizone,  Abelcet); antiviral medicines such as adefovir (Hepsera), acyclovir (Zovirax), foscarnet (Foscavir), or cidofovir (Vistide); cancer medicine such as carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), aldesleukin (Proleukin), cisplatin (Platinol), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), ifosfamide (Ifex), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid); aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) such as naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diflunisal (Dolobid), diclofenac (Voltaren), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), ketoprofen (Orudis), mefenamic acid (Ponstel); and antibiotics such as rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater), capreomycin (Capastat), vancomycin (Vancoled, Vancocin).

Also tell your doctor about all prescr

Asacol side effects

Asacol side effects include hives, breathing trouble, stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, bloody diarrhea; swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat; and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using Asacol, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor right away.

Mild nausea, gas, vomiting, stomach cramps, constipation, fever, sore throat, fatigue, skin ash, and dizziness are some less serious side effects of Asacol.