Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

balsalazide + mesalamine enema?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
Jane974
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2017
Posts : 374
Posted 12/24/2020 10:56 PM (GMT -7)
Hi all,

Are you allowed to combine oral balsalazide with mesalamine enemas? I wasn't sure because there was a possible interaction online when I checked but my GI says it's okay. Anyhow know?
profile picture
IamCurious
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 3540
Posted 12/25/2020 5:27 AM (GMT -7)
If there is an interaction then most likely it is a synergism where they enhance the effectiveness for each other. But I am not the expert here. Your GI says it's OK and I am sure Quincy will agree.
profile picture
iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16177
Posted 12/25/2020 7:44 AM (GMT -7)
Common to take an oral mesalamine (balsalazide) and an mesalamine enema together. It's the recommended treatment, treat from both ends produces the best results.

No adverse interactions. No worries.
profile picture
quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32472
Posted 12/25/2020 11:06 PM (GMT -7)
No problem regarding any interaction.

Keep us updated.

q
profile picture
Old Hat
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 5428
Posted 12/25/2020 11:51 PM (GMT -7)
Jane, are you asking because you have a long history of UC treatment with mesalamines? I know from my own experience that it's possible to suddenly "top-out" of Rowasa, which happened to me after 14 yrs of successful intermittent use. My gastroenterologist has sub-specialized in IBD treatment since 1980s, and wasn't particularly surprised when it turned on me, causing gnawing left-sided pain. I needed to stop using it. Thankfully, brandname Colazal controlled my UC afterward, but I could not tolerate Apriso (fewer caps daily but strong respiratory side effects). UCers are known to have heterogeneity in response to Rx meds; that's why many MDs can't really help us when things go wrong. If you're near any medical school experts, it's a good idea to inquire about their possibilities for consultation. The reliable ones won't push you onto immunosuppressants, if that worries you, nor will they brush you off for reporting exceptional symptoms like SFN. / Old Hat (40 yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)

Post Edited (Old Hat) : 12/26/2020 12:00:04 AM (GMT-7)

profile picture
Jane974
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2017
Posts : 374
Posted 12/26/2020 12:15 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks, Old hat for your thoughts. I was wondering because I saw there was an interaction when checked online, and didn't know if this was accurate since i've been using these meds for a while. Unrelated to this, I may have unfortunately developed a hypersensitivity to balsalaside and mesalamine based on my symptoms (neurological). This really sucks since I was relying on this treatment for a long time (20 years now) and don't have other good options :-(
profile picture
Old Hat
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 5428
Posted 12/26/2020 12:59 AM (GMT -7)
Sorry that you're between a rock and a hard place right now. Maybe you could get a video visit with an IBD subspecialist who'd be willing to review all your records and advise you on coordination of care. Due to the pandemic some of these doctors are more accessible now and willing to do tele-consults + insurance will pay for it. In the more experienced IBD centers the doctors will get together to "brainstorm" exceptional patient situations. You need an experienced practitioner who finds your complication interesting and keeps up with the latest research, I think; then you'll get on a more helpful track. At least you should have one who is willing to monitor you if you do decide to go off mesalamines for an interval to gauge whether that would affect your SFN symptoms, and who appreciates your effort to research on your own in pursuit of a viable solution. Some doctors are more responsive to questing patients than others. / Old Hat

Post Edited (Old Hat) : 12/26/2020 1:16:11 AM (GMT-7)

profile picture
Jane974
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2017
Posts : 374
Posted 12/26/2020 10:48 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks, Old Hat. That is a great idea! I will look for an IBD specialist in an academic medical center. I am close enough to 2 centers so I can do so.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply




HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
FacebookFacebook TwitterTwitter PinterestPinterest LinkedInLinkedIn
© 1997-2021 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.