Mesalamine for Inflammatory Bowel Disease User Reviews
Brand names: Lialda, Pentasa, Apriso, Asacol, Delzicol, Asacol HD, Rowasa, Canasa, Zaldyon, Canasa Pac Rowasa Sulfite Free …show all brand names
Mesalamine has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 14 reviews for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 14% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Mesalamine
- Trying...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 3, 2018
Apriso (mesalamine) "Apriso worked well to control the inflammation in my stomach and small intestine. However after a few weeks of use, it made my hair fall out. If I liked wigs this would be great. So far nothing else has worked this good."
- MoreK...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- November 27, 2020
Lialda (mesalamine) "Went through a few frightening episodes of what I thought was lots of blood in urine. Had a ridiculously long and frightful work-up (cultures, cystoscopy with dye under general anesthesia) to rule out infection and cancer. Nothing was ever found. Happened again 2 years later. This time, my husband recommended that we search the medical literature before going down the rabbit hole again. There’s a single report of mesalamine (active ingredient of Lialda) reacting with bleach to form a reddish-brown dye. Upshot: a fresh toilet cleaning bleach tablet had been added to the water closet the day before."
Frequently asked questions
- Psych
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 15, 2015
Pentasa (mesalamine) "This is the first drug I was prescribed after hospitalization and initial diagnosis. It made it possible to get off steroids and back to work. Hair loss was extensive, until I increased water intake and saw a renal dietician. Even though I am allergic to Sulfa drugs, this has been the least risky of the medications prescribed for my condition. My hair has grown back in, and with lifestyle changes I am much better. Long term, this is the only regimen that works for me."
- Mr Big
- February 4, 2020
"I am 64-had a colonoscopy last July for a positive Cologuard test result. No cancer, but, there was a small area of redness the doctor was concerned about. Ordered a CT scan-no def results. After exam, did not have a normal bowel movement-I was perfectly fine before the exam. By late Aug, had serious rectal bleeding, loose stool. Went back in mid-Sept they ordered tests for infection/parasities- were negative. In Nov I reached the worst point, where I was running to the bathroom almost hourly. I started taking probiotics, based on the recommendation of a friend and that helped. By late Dec, started having somewhat solid stool again. I had an appointment with a gastroenterologist at the end of January-at that point I was recovering quite nicely and she prescribed Mesalamine, which I have been taking for two weeks now and I am practically back to normal. I don't know exactly why I began to recover on my own, but, probiotics definitely help and the Mesalamine sealed the deal."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Sandy
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 4, 2021
Pentasa (mesalamine) "Pro: It kind of worked, a bit. My bloodwork improved and the mildest part of the inflammation went away. Cons: It didn't work enough. The area of more severe inflammation hasn't budged, unfortunately, and I'm still having bad stomach cramps every day. I tried upping my dose from 2 grams to 4 grams and that actually made my symptoms worse, so I went back down. I'm also losing a lot of hair, but it's not really noticeable to anyone else, and I will say that that's the only side effect I've had from this medication on a 1-2 grams dosage, which I think is pretty good. If your doctor tells you to take this medication, definitely take it! I wish it had worked for me. It does work for a lot of people. I would be happy to take this medication every day for the rest of my life if it only worked!"
- Gryffon
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- December 11, 2021
Pentasa (mesalamine) "I've had IBD for around 5-6 years now, which most of that time I have been using Pentasa. Before, my stomach pain was really bad but it's seem to have calmed down now with medicine. I take 4 capsules /day. (2 @ morning, 2 @ night) I've not had any symptoms since I started using Pentasa. I burp a lot, but that's really the only side effect I have."
- Fifster
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 25, 2021
"I was on this medicine for about 2 weeks. It wasn't helping so my doc said I could get off it. A few days later I had terrible chest pain and assumed it was an ulcer. It got so bad I went to the ER at 4am and after some blood tests was told it was myocarditis (heart inflammation) which is a more rare side effect of the drug. I had no other side effects so just keep an eye on chest pain and go in if you get it. I was treated and released and totally fine after. Not the end of the world just wish I would have known to watch for that as a side effect."
- Diana
- February 13, 2019
"I have been taking this since my diagnoses and it is amazing, the pain has subsided. I watch foods that trigger my IBS along with my medication Mesalamine 800 and this has brought quality life back. Thank you..."
- Richard...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 14, 2016
"I was prescribed ASACOL 7 days ago following a colonoscopy showed I had an inflamed colon. Over the week I have become increasingly tired and achy and my movements have become increasingly lose, becoming diarrhoea by day 6. I have been taken off the medicine pending a consultation in 3 days."
- Fifster
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 3, 2022
Lialda (mesalamine) "Within 2 weeks I started having chest pain that felt like terrible acid reflux. It was so painful and impossible to ignore so I went to the ER at 4am where I was diagnosed with myocarditis…which apparently can happen on this drug. I was put on prednisone for a week and all symptoms went away but I was pulled off the medication. It clearly states myocarditis as a potential side effect so I can’t be mad but just know, it can happen."
- Katlady
- April 9, 2017
Apriso (mesalamine) "Every doc said was IBS but a biopsy showed inflammation without being UC....I'm taking apriso and I'm so happy my life change 100%...keep fingers crossed "
- Anonymous
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 25, 2019
Pentasa (mesalamine) "Pentasa was so helpful for IBS It allowed me to get off steroids. I always felt better after taking it. Having to take it only twice a day was very comfortable."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- July 10, 2019
Delzicol (mesalamine) "Delzicol works wonderfully!!! Too bad it is so dog-gone expensive and my insurance doesn't want to cover it anymore."
- Zeb
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 5, 2023
"My IBD was well controlled / in remission within the first month of being prescribed generic mesalamine. No side effects, easy-to-swallow capsules."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Asacol (mesalamine) "Have had IBD for years, got relief after just 3 doses. The disease has had me housebound for a year because I never knew when I was going to have an accident. Had no control at all. Am hoping this will be the solution and I can have a normal life."