Asacol loss of effectiveness

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Hans C Regular Member Date Joined Dec 2006 Total Posts : 89	Posted 7/13/2008 11:13 AM (GMT -6)
	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 age 26 diagnosed 2004 (probable left sided) Multi-vitamin Aloe-gel B12 Cinnamon sticks Pro-biotic Back to Top

quincy Elite Member Date Joined May 2003 Total Posts : 30829	Posted 7/13/2008 2:21 PM (GMT -6)
	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 HeatherStatus: mini flare Dec 28... tapered to every 4th night ~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis) ~5ASA: Asacol (6 daily) + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance) ~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed ~vitamins/minerals/supplements ~Probiotic 3(Natural Factors Protec) bedtime + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) occasionally ~multi-digestive enzymes as needed ....zymactive 3 - 5x daily ~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma) ~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!) My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!! Back to Top

jars05 Regular Member Date Joined May 2003 Total Posts : 297	Posted 7/13/2008 10:19 PM (GMT -6)
	Asacol never worked for me. Age: 30 Location: Missouri Diagnosed with UC in 1997. Medications: 100 mg Azathioprine a day Supplements: 2 Omega 3s, b-6, calcium, and multivitamin No. of colonoscopies: I lost count at 6...LOL! Last scope: 10/9/05-everything looked ok. Back to Top

Hans C Regular Member Date Joined Dec 2006 Total Posts : 89	Posted 7/14/2008 12:42 AM (GMT -6)
	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 age 26 diagnosed 2004 (probable left sided) Multi-vitamin Aloe-gel B12 Cinnamon sticks Pro-biotic Back to Top

quincy Elite Member Date Joined May 2003 Total Posts : 30829	Posted 7/14/2008 2:58 AM (GMT -6)
	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 HeatherStatus: mini flare Dec 28... tapered to every 4th night ~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis) ~5ASA: Asacol (6 daily) + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance) ~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed ~vitamins/minerals/supplements ~Probiotic 3(Natural Factors Protec) bedtime + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) occasionally ~multi-digestive enzymes as needed ....zymactive 3 - 5x daily ~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma) ~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!) My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!! Back to Top

Hans C Regular Member Date Joined Dec 2006 Total Posts : 89	Posted 7/14/2008 5:08 AM (GMT -6)
	Good advice thanks Quincy I'll check it out age 26 diagnosed 2004 (probable left sided) Multi-vitamin Aloe-gel B12 Cinnamon sticks Pro-biotic Back to Top

Red_34 Elite Member Date Joined Apr 2004 Total Posts : 23551	Posted 7/14/2008 7:35 AM (GMT -6)
	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. ^{@--->--SHERRY--<---@} ^{Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC} ^{~Left sided Uc-'92-Colazal(9 daily),6mp(50-100mgs), Hydrocortisone E's, Prilosec,Biotin,Forvia,Pro-BioUnable to tolerate Asacol, Rowasa or Canasa}^{~Year-round allergies-Singulair, Allegra} ^{~Secondary Reynauds Syndrome-'04-Norvasc~Spinal Stenosis}^{~Sacroiliitis}^{-epidural injections~bulging discs C5,C6&C7~1st epidural injection 7/15} ^{To help Healingwell - click here: DONATE} http://www.myspace.com/82595818 Back to Top

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