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What is Asacol
MesalazineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryMesalazine is a type of anti-inflammatory drug that is related to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is primarily used to treat and maintain remission for ulcerative colitis. Over the years, researchers have developed more stable formulations of mesalazine, such as the eudragit-S coating of Asacol brand mesalazine and the Pentasa brand's encapsulation of mesalazine within microgranules. Research is still ongoing to develop new methods to stabilize mesalazine and to explore its potential to reduce inflammatory activity and the risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative
Rowasais the brand name
Asacol Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Rowasa
Mesalazine
1988
107
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Mesalazine, otherwise called Rowasa, is approved by the FDA for 1 uses which include Crohn Disease .Crohn Disease
Effectiveness
How Asacol Affects PatientsMesalazine is part of a drug combination commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis. It works by reducing inflammation and fighting free radicals, although it is believed to be more effective when applied directly to the area. Studies in mice and guinea pigs have shown that mesalazine can be just as effective as prednisolone or sulphasalazine in treating colitis.
How Asacol works in the bodyMesalazine works to reduce inflammation in the colon. It does this by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that cause inflammation, and blocking the activation of proteins that cause inflammation. It also helps reduce leukocyte migration, abnormal cytokine production, and free radical formation. This combination of effects helps reduce inflammation and ultimately improve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested dosage of Asacol is contingent upon the identified condition. The measure of dosage is contingent upon the mode of administration outlined in the accompanying table.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Proctitis
400.0 mg, , 1200.0 mg, 800.0 mg, 400.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 375.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/pump actuation, 0.2 mg/mg
Oral, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, , Tablet, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Suspension, Suspension - Rectal, Suppository, Suppository - Rectal, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Enema; Liquid, Enema; Liquid - Rectal, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Tablet, Delayed Release, Kit - Rectal
moderate Ulcerative colitis
400.0 mg, , 1200.0 mg, 800.0 mg, 400.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 375.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/pump actuation, 0.2 mg/mg
Oral, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, , Tablet, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Suspension, Suspension - Rectal, Suppository, Suppository - Rectal, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Enema; Liquid, Enema; Liquid - Rectal, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Tablet, Delayed Release, Kit - Rectal
Proctosigmoiditis
400.0 mg, , 1200.0 mg, 800.0 mg, 400.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 375.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/pump actuation, 0.2 mg/mg
Oral, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, , Tablet, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Suspension, Suspension - Rectal, Suppository, Suppository - Rectal, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Enema; Liquid, Enema; Liquid - Rectal, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Tablet, Delayed Release, Kit - Rectal
Ulcerative Colitis
400.0 mg, , 1200.0 mg, 800.0 mg, 400.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 375.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/pump actuation, 0.2 mg/mg
Oral, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, , Tablet, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Suspension, Suspension - Rectal, Suppository, Suppository - Rectal, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Enema; Liquid, Enema; Liquid - Rectal, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Tablet, Delayed Release, Kit - Rectal
Crohn Disease
400.0 mg, , 1200.0 mg, 800.0 mg, 400.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 375.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mg, 20.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 1000.0 mg/pump actuation, 0.2 mg/mg
Oral, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, , Tablet, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Rectal, Enema, Enema - Rectal, Kit, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Suspension, Suspension - Rectal, Suppository, Suppository - Rectal, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Enema; Liquid, Enema; Liquid - Rectal, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Tablet, Delayed Release, Kit - Rectal
Warnings
Asacol has eight contraindications. It should not be employed in conjunction with the ailments present in the subsequent table.Asacol ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Mesalazine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Asacol Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Macimorelin
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Macimorelin can be decreased when used in combination with Mesalazine.
Methotrexate
Major
The serum concentration of Methotrexate can be increased when it is combined with Mesalazine.
Mifamurtide
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Mifamurtide can be decreased when used in combination with Mesalazine.
Neomycin
Major
The risk or severity of nephrotoxicity can be increased when Mesalazine is combined with Neomycin.
Omacetaxine mepesuccinate
Major
The risk or severity of bleeding can be increased when Mesalazine is combined with Omacetaxine mepesuccinate.
Asacol Toxicity & Overdose RiskIn a two-year study, no increase in cancer was found when rats were fed up to 320mg/kg/day of mesalazine. Mesalazine was also not linked to any mutations or fertility issues. Signs of mesalazine toxicity include nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, dizziness, confusion, and headaches. If someone overdoses on mesalazine, there is no specific antidote, but treatment may involve removing as much as possible from the stomach and managing fluid and electrolyte levels. People with kidney problems or taking medications that affect the kidneys should be monitored for signs of mesalazine toxicity.
Asacol Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Asacol?
There are 96 active clinical trials examining the potential of Asacol to alleviate symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Proctitis
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Crohn Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
moderate Ulcerative colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Ulcerative Colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Proctosigmoiditis
0 Actively Recruiting
Asacol Reviews: What are patients saying about Asacol?
5Patient Review
4/21/2014 Asacol has been a life-saver for me, so I was really upset to hear that it might be discontinued. Are there any cheaper generic alternatives that would work just as well?
5Patient Review
7/4/2014 Asacol has been working great for me and I've stayed in remission for years now. The only downside is that since starting the drug, I have developed two liver nodules as well as a fatty liver.
5Patient Review
10/28/2013 I have colitis and was going to the bathroom 8-10 times a day. I started taking this medication, four pills per day as opposed to the six prescribed, and it's cut down my trips to the bathroom significantly. It's expensive, but it works.
5Patient Review
1/1/2014 I've been taking Asacol for a while now and it's worked great for me up until recently. I was told that Asacol is no longer being manufactured, so I've had to try substitutes. Unfortunately, none of them have given me the same results.
5Patient Review
4/12/20135Patient Review
7/24/20135Patient Review
8/12/20134.3Patient Review
4/2/2014 I took Asacol for a couple of months due to my first big UC flare up. The Asacol made my symptoms WORSE. It made me even more sick and I ended up in the hospital.
4.3Patient Review
12/3/2015 I've been on this med for a long time--18 years. The last 16 I was taking asacol until it got renamed to deizacol. I couldn't find Deizacol when looking up medications on this website. Recently, the medication hasn't been helping me as much. Additionally, I have had two hepatic lobes removed from my liver and now feel very bloated. For years there were almost no side effects, but now it seems like there are some emerging.
4.3Patient Review
3/30/20134Patient Review
6/6/20133.7Patient Review
5/28/2015 The side effects I experienced were: Musculoskeletal pain; sore throat; swelling of hands and feet.
2.3Patient Review
4/16/2014 Worked for several weeks, then sadly stopped being effective. I had to use imodium as a result.
2Patient Review
2/28/2014 I was recently diagnosed with UC and put on Asacol. However, this made my symptoms worse so I stopped taking it. The prednisone has helped me feel better for the last two weeks. I am about to start Apriso and hope that it works better for me than Asacol did.
2Patient Review
1/7/2014 I've taken this treatment for 20 years now with no issues.
1.3Patient Review
11/20/2013 Asacol has been great for me. No flare-ups since I started taking it.
1.3Patient Review
2/25/2014 The patient took the tablet as directed but found that it was unchanged in their stool the next morning.
1Patient Review
4/4/2013Patient Q&A Section about asacol
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Can Asacol make colitis worse?
"I'm wondering if that's true and if it's something to be concerned about. Asacol is a very safe drug used to treat ulcerative colitis. In very rare cases, it may worsen diarrhea or cause hair loss. These adverse effects usually occur early on, within a few weeks or months, and are reversible."
Answered by AI
What is the drug Asacol used for?
"This medication, mesalamine, is used to treat the bowel disease ulcerative colitis. Mesalamine is part of a class of drugs called aminosalicylates. Reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis, like diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain, is one of the ways this drug helps."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of the medication Asacol?
"The following are potential side effects of the medication: burping, constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, dizziness, cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, back pain, headache, rash, or abnormal liver function tests."
Answered by AI
How long should you take Asacol?
"The average adult should take 800mg of this medication, 3 times per day, for a total of 6 weeks. Children 5 years of age or older should speak to their doctor to determine the proper dosage, as it is based on weight. Children who are younger than 5 years old or weigh less than 17 kg should not take this medication without a doctor's professional opinion."
Answered by AI