Asacol
Asacol contains mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat inflammation in the rectum and prevent it from returning.
How to Use
Dosage
Typically, 1 suppository is taken 1-3 times a day, depending on whether you are treating an active flare-up or preventing its return.
Method
Wash your hands, remove the wrapper. Lie on your side, bend your knees, and gently insert the suppository, narrow end first, into your rectum. Stay lying down for a few minutes. Try to keep the suppository inside for as long as possible, ideally 8 hours, for best effect.
Do not exceed your doctor's prescribed dose, typically no more than three suppositories per day during an active flare-up.
Possible Side Effects
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Heart inflammation with chest pain and a fast heartbeat
- •Diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, feeling unwell in the stomach with nausea and vomiting
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)
- •Severe decrease in all blood cells (pancytopenia), which can cause weakness, bruising, or increase the risk of infection
- •Decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can increase the risk of bleeding
- •Allergic reactions such as itching and skin rash
- •Fever that appears during medicine use and disappears when the medicine is stopped (drug-induced fever)
- •Immune system disease that can affect organs and joints
- •Ulcerative colitis in the entire colon
- •Tingling, numbness, unusual sensations, weakness, and burning pain in the arms, legs, or hands (peripheral neuropathy)
- •Lung disease (scarring of lung tissue, allergic reaction) leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing, and fluid buildup in the lungs
- •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), with pain in the upper abdomen and back, and nausea
- •Abnormal liver test results; liver inflammation (hepatitis) with flu-like symptoms and jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- •Hair loss
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Kidney disease (such as inflammation and scarring of the kidneys), kidney failure
- •Reversible decrease in sperm production
- •Local reaction
- •Kidney stones and related kidney pain
- •Intolerance reactions, including worsening of symptoms of the underlying disease
- •Inflammation of the membranes around the lungs and chest cavity
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to mesalazine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you are allergic to salicylates (like aspirin).
- Do not use if you have severe kidney problems.
- Do not use if you have severe liver problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or duodenal ulcers.
Show 7 more warnings
- Do not use Asacol if you have had heart sensitivity reactions (like chest pain, rapid heartbeat) or if you previously had a bad reaction to mesalazine.
- If you have lung diseases, such as asthma, your doctor might check your lung function regularly.
- If you are allergic to sulfasalazine (another medicine for bowel inflammation), stop using Asacol immediately if you get severe cramps, stomach pain, fever, bad headache, or rash.
- Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to check your kidney function while you are taking this medicine.
- Very rarely, serious problems with blood cell production have been reported with Asacol. Your doctor will monitor this.
- Stop using mesalazine and see a doctor right away if you notice any severe skin reactions, like red target-like spots, peeling skin, or blisters.
- Kidney stones can form while using mesalazine. Drink plenty of water during treatment to help prevent this.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider renal impairment. Do not use in severe renal impairment. Remember blood tests to monitor safety. (updated 20.5.2024)