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