Asacol, the brand name for the generic drug mesalamine, is an oral medication that is prescribed to reduce inflammation in certain areas of the body. It is taken several times a day, with or without food. While it does not cure the diseases for which it is prescribed, it is designed to help ease and control symptoms.
Function
Asacol is prescribed to help treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis and proctosigmoiditis, according to drugs.com. It may also be prescribed to prevent symptoms of colitis from returning. It is an anti-inflammatory drug that helps prevent inflammation, diarrhea and tissue damage, and the typical dosage is two 400 mg tablets, three times daily for six weeks, says rxlist.com.
Types
There are two forms of Asacol: a regular-dosage form called Asacol, which is indicated for use with mild to moderate flare-ups of ulcerative colitis and for maintaining remission of the disease; and Asacol HD, for use with moderate ulcerative colitis, which exhibits more pronounced symptoms, says asacolhd.com. Whereas Asacol comes in 400mg tablets, Asacol HD is made in 800mg tablets; according to the medication's website, the substitution of one Asacol HD tablet for two Asacol tablets is not recommended unless specifically instructed by a physician.
Considerations
Prior to prescribing Asacol, a physician should be made aware of any allergies the patient has, including aspirin, says drugs.com. If a patient has certain medical conditions, the dosage of Asacol may need to be altered; these conditions as listed by drugs.com include the stomach condition pyloric stenosis, sulfasalazine allergy, any heart conditions and kidney or liver diseases. Although Asacol is not thought to be harmful to an unborn baby, any patient who is pregnant or plans on conceiving while on the drug should notify their physician. If a patient is breastfeeding, the physician should know this as well because this medication may be passed through breast milk and may harm the baby.
Side Effects
Like many medications, Asacol has the potential to cause side effects, most of which are manageable. Rxlist.com lists these side effects, which include headache, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, back pain, fever and rash. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction and need immediate medical attention; a medical professional should be notified immediately if symptoms such as breathing trouble, hives, swelling of the throat or tongue, bloody diarrhea or stomach pain occur, says drugs.com.
Warning
Some drugs may adversely interact with Asacol, including certain antibiotics, some cancer medications, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, amphotericin B, pentamidine and certain antiviral medications. The prescribing physician should be notified of any medications, vitamins or supplements the patient is taking in order to minimize the risk of drug interactions.
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