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