asacol drug
mesalamine (oral/rectal) (me SAL a meen)
Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa
What is the most important information I should know about Asacol?
• Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets or capsules asacol drug. Swallow them whole asacol drug. They are specially formulated to release the medication after they have passedthrough your stomach asacol drug.
• Notify your doctor if you repeatedly find undissolved tablets in yourstool asacol drug.
What is Asacol?
• The exact way that Asacol works is unknown, but it is believed to reducethe actions of a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage,and diarrhea asacol drug.
• Asacol is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis asacol drug. Asacol is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring asacol drug.
• Asacol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide asacol drug.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Asacol?
• Tell your doctor if you have any type of kidney disease asacol drug. You may requirea lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy with Asacol asacol drug.
• Asacol is in the FDA pregnancy category B asacol drug. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby asacol drug. Do not take Asacol without first talking to your doctorif you are pregnant asacol drug.
• Asacol passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby asacol drug. Do nottake Asacol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding ababy asacol drug.
How should I take Asacol?
• Take Asacol exactly as directed by your doctor asacol drug. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you asacol drug.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water asacol drug.
• Asacol can be taken with or without food asacol drug.
• Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets or capsules asacol drug. Swallow them whole asacol drug. They are specially formulated to release the medication after they have passedthrough your stomach asacol drug.
• Notify your doctor if you repeatedly find undissolved tablets in yourstool asacol drug.
• Try to empty your bowel just before using a rectal form of mesalamine asacol drug.
• Insert the suppositories rectally asacol drug. Remove the foil wrapper and inserta suppository into the rectum, pointed end first asacol drug. Avoid excessive handling ofthe suppository, because it is designed to melt at body temperature asacol drug. Retainthe suppository for one to three hours, or longer, if possible to get the maximumbenefit from this medication asacol drug.
• Shake the rectal suspension well before use asacol drug. Remove the protective capfrom the applicator tip asacol drug. Hold the bottle at the neck to prevent any of the medicationfrom spilling out asacol drug. Gently insert the tip into the rectum, pointing toward thebelly button (umbilicus) asacol drug. Squeeze the bottle steadily to discharge most of themedication asacol drug. Retain the suspension overnight if possible to get the maximum benefitfrom this medication asacol drug.
• Use caution when applying the suppositories or rectal suspension asacol drug. Theseproducts may stain clothing, flooring, painted surfaces, vinyl, enamel, marble,granite, and other surfaces asacol drug.
• The rectal suspension may darken slightly in color asacol drug. Throw away any bottlesthat contain very dark brown liquid asacol drug.
• Store Asacol at room temperature away from moisture and heat asacol drug.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember asacol drug. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose asacol drug. Do not take a double dose of this medication asacol drug.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention asacol drug.
• Symptoms of a Asacol overdose include ringing in your ears, dizziness,headache, confusion, drowsiness, sweating, hyperventilation, vomiting, and diarrhea asacol drug.
What should I avoid while taking Asacol?
• Use caution when applying the suppositories or rectal suspension asacol drug. Theseproducts may stain clothing, flooring, painted surfaces, vinyl, enamel, marble,granite, and other surfaces asacol drug.
• There are no restrictions on foods, beverages, or activities during therapywith Asacol unless your doctor directs otherwise asacol drug.
What are the possible side effects of Asacol?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingAsacol and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· worsening colitis (fever, abdominal pain, cramping, or bloody diarrhea);or
· chest pain or shortness of breath asacol drug.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur asacol drug. Continueto take Asacol and talk to your doctor if you experience
· nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, or belching;
· headache or dizziness;
· chills or sweating; or
· a rash asacol drug.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur asacol drug. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome asacol drug.
What other drugs will affect Asacol?
• Asacol is not known to interact with other medicines asacol drug.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines that you take sothat your therapies can be monitored for interactions asacol drug.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Asacol written for healthprofessionals that you may read asacol drug.
|
