ASACOL (Mesalamine) is prescribed by the physicians for the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and the maintenance of the remission of ulcerative colitis. ASACOL (Mesalamine) is also used to treat proctitis and proctosigmoiditis. ASACOL (Mesalamine) inhibits the production of Prostaglandins by blocking the CycloOxgenase pathway, thereby reduces the inflammation in the colon. The mechanism of the action of ASACOL (Mesalamine) is usually topical and localised. ASACOL (Mesalamine) is also used to treat Crohn’s Disease.
Who should not take ASACOL (Mesalamine)?
ASACOL (Mesalamine) is contraindicated in the patients with Liver and kidney diseases, pyloric stenosis, congestive heart failure, gastritis, peptic ulceration or perforation. You should take ASACOL (Mesalamine), if you are already taking drugs like Aspirin, diclofenac, mefenamic acid and other NSAIDs, amphotericin – B, tacrolimus, anti-cancer drugs like Cisplatin, Carmustine, Streptozotocin and Tretenoin, Azathioprin, Mercaptopurine, antibiotics like Vancomycin, Rifampicin, Capreomycin and anti-viral drugs like Foscarnet, Acyclovir, Cidofovir, Adefovir and other herbal or nutrient supplements available over-the-counter. According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ASACOL (Mesalamine) is classified as a Pregnancy Category – C drug and you should consult your Physician before taking ASACOL (Mesalamine). If you are nursing mother, you should not take ASACOL (Mesalamine), as it can pass the breast milk and can harm the feeding infant. You should not take ASACOL (Mesalamine), if you are allergic to Mesalamine and salicylates like Aspirin.
ASACOL (Mesalamine) Side Effects:
ASACOL (Mesalamine) can cause moderate arthralgia, vomiting, constipation, bloody stools or even diarrhoea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, pharyngitis, fever with rashes in the skin, asthenia, nausea, dysmenorrhoea, hypertonia, chills, profuse sweating, rarely colitis exacerbation, peripheral edema, general fatigue, persistent bloating like feeling, increased malaise, sleeping disorders, conjunctivitis, increased cough, pruritis, acne, chest pain caused by gas and flatulence. The rare side effects of ASACOL (Mesalamine) are rheumatoid arthritis, severe headache, stomatitis, decrease in libido, withdrawal syndrome, anxiety, nervousness, tenesmus, frequent micturition, Profuse Gastrointestinal bleeding, rhinitis and lupus like disorders.
How should I take ASACOL (Mesalamine)?
The recommended dosage for the ASACOL (Mesalamine) is two 400mg tablets thrice daily in the mild to moderate cases of ulcerative colitis. ASACOL (Mesalamine) can be in the dosage level of 2.4 gm daily for a duration of weeks. For the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis is 400 mg, four times a day which is equivalent to 1.6 gm daily dose. The following instruction should be followed to take the ASACOL (Mesalamine) – 1.6 – 2.4 mg daily: (1) Take ASACOL (Mesalamine) first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything except plain water. 2) Take ASACOL (Mesalamine) while you are sitting or standing up. 3) Take ASACOL (Mesalamine) with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of plain water. Do not take ASACOL (Mesalamine) with any other drink besides plain water. Do not take ASACOL (Mesalamine) with coffee, tea, juice, milk or other dairy drinks. 4) Swallow ASACOL (Mesalamine) whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep ASACOL (Mesalamine) in your mouth to melt or dissolve. After taking ASACOL (Mesalamine) you must wait at least 30 minutes BEFORE: 1) lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal activities like read the newspaper or take a walk. 2) Eating or drinking anything except plain water.
Keep taking ASACOL (Mesalamine) for as long as your health care provider tells you do so. To treat your problems or keep you away from the symptoms of the same, you have to take ASACOL (Mesalamine) as often and in the way ASACOL (Mesalamine) as prescribed by the Physician.
What is the important information I should know about ASACOL (Mesalamine)?
Take ASACOL (Mesalamine) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
ASACOL (Mesalamine) can be taken with or without food.
You should not crush or chew ASACOL (Mesalamine) while swallowing.
Take ASACOL (Mesalamine) with a full glass of water.
For ASACOL (Mesalamine) dosage one must follow his doctor's instructions.
It is important to take ASACOL (Mesalamine) regularly to get the most benefit, as directed by the Physician.
Some times ASACOL (Mesalamine) can be seen in stools as a whole tablet or partially digested. This is a symptom of incomplete drug absorption. Inform your Physician about this immediately.
Do not stop taking ASACOL (Mesalamine) without first talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well. Even after your symptoms improve, you may require continuous treatment for quite some time, as directed by the Physician.
You should not take ASACOL (Mesalamine), if you are allergic to salicylates like Aspirin.
Store ASACOL (Mesalamine) as per the instructions on the product label.
Keep ASACOL (Mesalamine) away from the reach of the children and the pets to avoid accidental exposure.
What happens if I miss a dose of ASACOL (Mesalamine)?
Take the missed dose of ASACOL (Mesalamine) as soon as you remember, during the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take ASACOL (Mesalamine) next day as routine dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication, which may lead to complications.
What happens if I overdose of ASACOL (Mesalamine)?
ASACOL (Mesalamine) specific anti-dotes are available and if you feel the symptoms of ASACOL (Mesalamine) overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Where can I get more information on ASACOL (Mesalamine)?
ASACOL (Mesalamine) prescribed patients, who try to place an order for ASACOL (Mesalamine) from an online pharmacy store, can place their prescription order at the CanadaDrugsOnline.com which is an online Canadian pharmacy store.
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