Asacol

Asacol (Mesalamine)

Asacol

Mesalamine tablet

What is it used for?

MESALAMINE is used for the treatment of the pain and inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis.

What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking this medicine?

Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:

• kidney diseases
• liver diseases
• pyloric stenosis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to mesalamine, salicylates, other medicines, sulfites, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How is this medicine should be taken?

Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. The capsules should never be crushed or chewed. Your doses should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine prematurely except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care might be necessary.

Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with the others.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.

What are the possible interactions with the other medicine/food/etc?

• digoxin

This list is not all-inclusive. Provide your health care provider with a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements that you use. Also tell them whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.

Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking it?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better after several days. There is usually an improvement in 3 to 21 days. You may need about 6 weeks of the treatment to get good results.

Do not change the brand of this medicine that you are taking without talking to your doctor or health care professional. All brands do not necessarily have the same dosage of active ingredient.

You may notice empty shells from this medicine in your stool. If this happens frequently, you should contact your doctor or health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:

• allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
• bloody diarrhea
• chest pains
• difficulty breathing, wheezing
• fever
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• unusual weakness or feeling tired
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

The side effects listed below usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):

• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach gas
• stomach pain or cramps

Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.

This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.