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Asacol loss of effectiveness

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/13/2008 9:13 AM (GMT -7)
Hi,

I read that asacol lost it's effectiveness with time for a few of you.

I'm wondering if larger dosing can cause that to happen sooner.

Does anyone have any knowledge or suspicions on that?

Thanks for reading- Hans

 

Posted 7/13/2008 12:21 PM (GMT -7)
No, I've used 6 daily for over 19 years and only once had gone up to 8 daily for about 6 months.

I cannot stress enough for you to use rectal meds...I'd suggest the 5ASA retention enemas (Rowasa or Salofalk if you're not in the US).

Is there a reason you're not on them?

How many Asacol are you on?
It's not that it's not effective....it's that you're not being treated effectively with the proper coverage of meds.

I don't see Asacol in your sig.
quincy
Posted 7/13/2008 8:19 PM (GMT -7)
Asacol never worked for me.
Posted 7/13/2008 10:42 PM (GMT -7)
Well, I'd love to be on rectals however they are not available here (Vietnam) as far as I know (still looking) and if they were available at the price of even the generics I don't think i could afford them. Actually I'm taking mesacol - an Indian mesalazine, forgot to update it (2400mg a day).

I was wondering about this as I think I've read in some articles that oral mesalazine induces remission faster at a higher dose. Since most people don't have side-effects why not take the higher dose (4800mg isn't it?).
Apart from the inconvenience of having to take more tablets I was wondering if your body might build up an immunity or something faster at a higher dose (though I know they continue to be effective for most people indefinately).

Hans
Posted 7/14/2008 12:58 AM (GMT -7)
For some they work better than others....I don't think you get immune to them, however, either they work or they don't.

The higher dosage of oral 5ASA can cause side effects such as diarrhea or exacerbation of symptoms such as bleeding...but worth a try. I wouldn't jump to 12 daily tho.

How are you taking them...twice daily or thrice?

If you do increase...add one per dosge for a week or two...then do the same again till you reach 12. You might then find that only one increase will get you to an improved state.


Regarding rectal meds...are there any hydrocortisone suppositories available if not any 5ASA? The enemas are the best, but the suppositories will help a lot.

quincy
Posted 7/14/2008 3:08 AM (GMT -7)
Good advice thanks Quincy I'll check it out
Posted 7/14/2008 5:35 AM (GMT -7)
I was on Asacol for 12 years when it stopped working. I honestly don't know if it's because I became immune to it, became intolerant of mesalamines or my disease progressed to which it just didn't work anymore. When I switched to Colazal, I was at 12 a day of Asacol, which is the max dose. I was on that dose for about 4-6 months with no improvement in addition to Rowasa and/or steroid enemas.
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