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