Asacol
Asacol is a medicine that helps reduce swelling and redness in your large intestine and rectum, especially for a condition called ulcerative colitis.
How to Use
Dosage
For active disease, use one enema every evening just before bed. For maintenance, your doctor will tell you the lowest dose to prevent symptoms.
Method
Warm the bottle in a water bath to about 37°C. Shake the bottle. Remove the cap, attach the applicator, and lubricate its tip with petroleum jelly. Lie on your side, gently insert the applicator as far as possible into your rectum. Squeeze the bottle until it's empty, keeping it squeezed as you remove the applicator. Try to hold the medicine in for as long as possible, ideally 8 hours, to let it work best. Stay lying down for a while to reduce the urge to go to the bathroom.
Do not use more than your doctor has prescribed.
Possible Side Effects
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Heart inflammation with chest pain and fast heartbeat
- •Diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, stomach discomfort with nausea and vomiting
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and UV light
- •Severe decrease in all blood cells, which can lead to weakness, easy bruising, or higher risk of infections
- •Decrease in blood platelets, which increases the risk of bleeding
- •Allergic reactions such as itching and rash
- •Fever caused by the medicine, which goes away when you stop using it
- •Immune system disorders that can affect organs and joints
- •Worsening or spread of ulcerative colitis throughout the large intestine
- •Tingling, numbness, strange feelings, weakness, or burning pain in arms, legs, or hands
- •Lung problems causing trouble breathing, wheezing, or fluid buildup in the lungs
- •Inflammation of the pancreas, with pain in the upper belly and back, and nausea
- •Abnormal liver test results; liver inflammation with flu-like symptoms and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- •Hair loss
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Kidney problems (such as inflammation and scarring of the kidneys), or kidney failure
- •Temporary decrease in sperm production
- •Local reaction
- •Kidney stones and pain in the kidneys
- •Intolerance reactions, including worsening of your existing 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 ingredient in this medicine, or if you have severe kidney or liver problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, stomach ulcers, heart problems (like inflammation of the heart muscle or sac), or lung diseases such as asthma.
- If you are allergic to sulfasalazine (another medicine for bowel inflammation), you should use Asacol with great care. Stop taking it immediately if you get severe symptoms like cramps, stomach pain, fever, bad headache, or rash.
- Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check your kidney function and blood counts while you are using this medicine.
- Stop using Asacol and get medical help right away if you get severe skin reactions (like red spots, peeling skin, blisters, or sores in your mouth) or signs of blood problems (like unexplained bleeding, easy bruising, purple spots under the skin, feeling tired or weak, fever, or sore throat).
Show 2 more warnings
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or recurring headaches, changes in vision, or ringing in your ears.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help prevent kidney stones. Your urine might turn reddish-brown if it mixes with bleach in the toilet; this is normal and harmless.
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)