Asacol
Asacol contains mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and to prevent them from returning.
Form
enterotabletti
Strength
400 mg
Active Ingredient
Mesalazine
Manufacturer
Tillotts Pharma AB
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, for maintenance, take 1600-2400 mg daily, either once or divided into 2-3 doses. For active disease, the dose can be increased to 4800 mg daily, divided into 2-3 doses.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water before meals. Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets.
Important
For active disease, the maximum daily dose for adults is 4800 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Rash
- •Digestive problems (e.g., indigestion)
RARE
- •Fever
- •Increased number of a certain type of white blood cells (eosinophils)
- •Tingling, prickling, or numbness
- •Hives, itchy skin
- •Chest pain
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis) with chest pain and fast heartbeat
- •Diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, feeling unwell with nausea and vomiting
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sun and UV light (photosensitivity)
- •Severe decrease in all blood cells (pancytopenia), causing weakness, bruising, or increased infection risk
- •Decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can increase bleeding risk
- •Allergic reactions such as itching and skin rash
- •Fever during drug use that disappears when treatment stops (drug-induced fever)
- •Immune system disorder that can affect organs and joints
- •Ulcerative colitis affecting the entire large intestine
- •Tingling, numbness, abnormal sensations, weakness, and burning pain in arms, legs, or hands (peripheral neuropathy)
- •Lung disease (scarring, allergic reaction) leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing, fluid in lungs, or pneumonia
- •Pancreatitis with upper abdominal and back pain and nausea
- •Abnormal liver test results; hepatitis (liver inflammation with flu-like symptoms and jaundice)
- •Hair loss
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Kidney problems (inflammation, scarring); kidney failure, possibly reversible if treatment stops early
- •Reversible decrease in sperm production
- •Immune system disorder (lupus-like syndrome) causing inflammation in heart or lung sacs, rash, and/or joint pain
- •Kidney stones and associated kidney pain
- •Weight loss
- •Abnormal laboratory test results
- •Intolerance reactions, including worsening of underlying disease symptoms
- •Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs and chest cavity
Important Warnings
- Do not use Asacol if you are allergic to mesalazine, salicylates, or any other ingredients in the medicine.
- Do not use Asacol if you have severe kidney or liver problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or duodenal ulcers, especially if you are elderly.
- If you have had heart hypersensitivity reactions, do not use Asacol if you have previously had similar symptoms from mesalazine.
- If you have a lung disease like asthma, your doctor may check your lung function regularly.
Show 5 more warnings
- If you are allergic to sulfasalazine, Asacol treatment should be started under careful medical supervision and stopped immediately if you experience symptoms like cramps, stomach pain, fever, severe headache, or rash.
- Your doctor will perform regular blood tests to check your kidney function and blood count during Asacol treatment.
- Stop using the medicine and seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe skin reactions (e.g., blisters, peeling skin, mouth sores) or unexplained bruising, bleeding, or high fever.
- Remember to drink enough fluids during Asacol treatment, as kidney stones can form.
- Asacol is recommended only for children aged 6 years and older.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
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)