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Asacol MAX??????

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/27/2008 5:11 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Peeps I notice some members are taking 12 Asacol daily, I'm on 6 a day and been told thats the max dosage, I'm in the UK! Seems a bit strange?
Posted 6/27/2008 5:42 AM (GMT -7)
I'm in the UK too and also on 6 per day, I did ask about increasing but my Dr said that increasing the dosage does not really give any benefit and dismissed it.
Posted 6/27/2008 5:43 AM (GMT -7)
6 is definitely not the max dosage. I take 9 colazal a day (similar to asacol). Who told you that was the max? GI or pharmacist?

On a different note...are you in remission w/ 6/day?
Posted 6/27/2008 5:46 AM (GMT -7)
http://www.asacol.com/pdf/us-asacol.pdf

This med insert talks about the standard dosing and maintenance doses (right near the end of the doc).  If you read it through, it talks about doses up to 4.8g (each pill being 0.4g).

Typically a dose of six Asacol is a maintenace dose and up to 12 is a treatment dose.

Posted 6/27/2008 5:47 AM (GMT -7)
I'm on 12 a day right now, but I figured that was to get me into remission--I am hoping the maintenance dosage is smaller. Seeing my doctor next week (with a list of questions!)

Posted 6/27/2008 6:25 AM (GMT -7)
I've never been below 9 asacol in 10 years. While flaring I am always at 12.
Posted 6/27/2008 6:49 AM (GMT -7)
I've been at 6 when I was flaring and now for maintenance.
Posted 6/27/2008 7:35 AM (GMT -7)
6 is the max for Asacol 800mg tablets.  That is what I am on right now.  I think the common prescript ion is for the 400mg tablets as the 800mg are fairly new in North America.  Not sure which ones you are taking but that could be it.
Posted 6/27/2008 9:42 AM (GMT -7)
As I wrote the other day, my son doctors, had him on 6 Asacol a day, now told him to take only 4 EVERY OTHER DAY!!!
He also has him taking 1 6MP tablet 3 times a day, every day.
I don't get this. I thought Asacol was the most important one, and he dropped that dose. He is still tapering from Prednisone now also. Over the 7 years he has had colitis, he has had 4 different doctors. They all HAD DIFFERENT THEORIES, on treating this. John is so confused, and no matter what, will still get a flare about every 6 months, then back on Prednisone for a couple months. This disease is ridiculous. Someone needs to come up with the cause and the solution, and quick.
Posted 6/27/2008 11:14 AM (GMT -7)
cool I'm on the 400mg Asacol 6 a day and been on and of Predfoam since last September, I find within a few days of stopping Pred I'm flaring again. I was thinking of upping my Asacol dosage myself and seeing what happens, just wondered if there were risks with them? as I'm not a fan of the Predfoam!
Thxs for all your replies!
Posted 6/27/2008 11:18 AM (GMT -7)
I only take 1 400mg 2x/day. I was just wondering if anyone has experienced dizziness from Asacol? I seem to get dizzy almost daily and don't know if it is from the Asacol.
Posted 6/27/2008 3:28 PM (GMT -7)
I take 12 Asacol a day. They are 400mg pills and I take 4 at a time, 3 times a day. So that's 4800mg per day, my doctor says its the max. Seems that the confusion is that some who were told 6 pills a day is the max are taking 800mg pills so then 6 should indeed be the max, it still adds up to 4800mg total. I haven't experienced any bad side effects from Asacol that I know of. I assume that all my weird symptoms and side effects are from prednisone (and sometimes anemia and/or nutrient deficiencies) when flaring then tapering. When I'm in remission I still take Asacol, but I usually feel pretty good all around.
Posted 6/27/2008 4:05 PM (GMT -7)
My head feels strange when I take my morning Asacol. I actiually have to go lay down for about 40 minutes and then I'm okay. It's not exactly dizziness, my body just feels incredibly tired but not sleepy. Oddly, this doesn't happen after my early evening dose.
Posted 6/27/2008 6:40 PM (GMT -7)
My Nephew is taking 16 pills a day. It is keeping him in remission. 12 a day didn't help him.
Posted 6/28/2008 11:06 AM (GMT -7)

Jano437 said...
My Nephew is taking 16 pills a day. It is keeping him in remission. 12 a day didn't help him.

Wow 16!! Does he have to have his blood checked on a regular basis as he's taking such a large amount?
Posted 6/28/2008 4:56 PM (GMT -7)
No, his doctor doesn't seem to think there is a max as long as it is keeping him in remission. He does get regular blood work and there is no problem with that. I was concerned as well about the high dose and I asked the question before for someone to point me to where it is written the 12 is the max and no one could find where it says that. So, please if anyone can find where it says that let me know.
Thanks
Posted 6/28/2008 9:33 PM (GMT -7)
I'm on 6 400 mg myself. I asked my dr if I could take more and he said that 6 is the remission dose and 4 is the maintenance dose. I too see that there are others taking 12 a day. I think there is a lot of confusion out there in Dr-land. I'm in a mild flare right now, so i think I am going to try upping my dose for a few days and see what happens.

I'm sorta thinking it might be time to change drs.
Posted 6/28/2008 11:19 PM (GMT -7)
Asacol is for mild to moderate UC...12 per day is for the more severe end of moderate UC.
Posted 6/29/2008 9:31 AM (GMT -7)
12/day is the maximum dose. I've seen 3 different GIs, including a GI at Mayo Clinic, and they all told me this. I've been on 12/day for about a year now. One of my GIs said it probably wouldn't hurt you if you took more than that, but it also wouldn't help anymore than 12/day.

Jano - I think most doctors say 12/day is the max. because higher doses have not been tested in studies.

Posted 6/29/2008 2:39 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks Sara14 for clearing up some of this confusion. What you said makes perfect sence. Thanks again
Posted 6/29/2008 3:03 PM (GMT -7)
I am on 6 daily whilst in remission and 12 when i'm flaring.
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