Canasa User Reviews & Ratings

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2008

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This is a 5-ASA suppository. Helpful in gaining control of a mild UC flare. No side effects. Fairly easy to 'hold in' compared to Rowasa, but doesn't spread as far, pretty much only the rectum. A little lube helps, I also knock off the rough edges on the blunt end."

• Anonymous
• September 13, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Colon pain and bleeding occurred while I was out of the country. Doctor thought condition would improve on its own. Condition persisted for three weeks until Canasa was prescribed. Two to three days after administering the medication, symptoms disappeared. It is such a relief to no longer have the stress that occurs with illness. I am pleased that my physician recommended this course of action and wished I'd had this intervention sooner."

• Dav...
• December 30, 2016

For Ulcerative Proctitis "When I first started taking it, it didn't have any effect except minor stomach cramping, which I wasn't even sure if it was from the drug. I stopped taking it, but my doctor told me to take it once in the morning and once at night. I also began taking Lialda, which has the same ingredients, again morning and night, two pills. After about a month or two, I had a dramatic positive effect. I've tried getting off it, but my symptoms return. It is effective for bleeding and liquid stool. I sometimes still feel the need to evacuate without anything there, but as long as I consistently take it, I have little, if any, problems."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2020

For Ulcerative Proctitis "I had ulcerative proctitis for 5 years before getting pregnant. Only 1 flare since diagnosis during that time (and it was while off the medication). Canasa suppositories worked within a week and completely maintained me in remission. Then a new doctor told me not to use suppositories if I got pregnant (I told her we were trying to get pregnant and I wanted to check if the medication was okay). I stopped it 2 months before I got pregnant and flared 2 months into pregnancy, but throughout the entire colon this time. I’m now on Lialda, Canasa, and prednisone. It’s been extremely difficult to control the flare, which is typical of flares during pregnancy. I wish I had never stopped taking Canasa. It might be too early to judge Lialda after 4 days, but Lialda has given me so much nausea it feels like I’m back in the first trimester. For anyone wondering, you obviously can take Canasa while pregnant, if clearly needed and the benefit outweighs the risk, as I am currently back on it and 29 weeks."

• Ric...
• July 31, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I used Canasa for 1 year, and it seemed to lessen my flare-ups. After one year, my prescription discount has run out and can't be renewed for 6 months. Since Canasa is VERY expensive, I'm not able to afford it. I've been off it for three weeks now and experiencing small flare-ups, severe fatigue, and cramping."

• Don...
• September 14, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "Very helpful. Because it is so expensive, I would wait until it became really bad... Thinking 'oh, it'll get better.' But I will share a trick I do. Not Dr. approved. I use it full strength for 6 days (when I see real results... Do not stop treatment). Then I cut a 1/4 off of the small end of each, and collect them in a sandwich bag. Then I shake them to the bottom of the bag, let the bottom of the bag sit in warm water until I can roll a length/roll (while still in the bag). Let it cool, then cut into sections for more suppositories... to extend my treatment or for emergencies. I also eat the same foods most every day: avocados, white rice, soft scrambled eggs, bananas with peanut butter, squash, oysters, refried beans, asparagus, and can spinach."

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2020

For Ulcerative Proctitis "I have been using Canasa for 2 years. First, I wasn't paying for it until I turned 65 years old last year. I now pay a $75 copayment. Three months ago, I tried the generic brand and I noticed lots of symptoms: heart palpitations, lots of bloating, really bad pains. My blood pressure elevated, nervousness, muscle pain in my left calf, pain in my left side, and a really bad headache. I can't deal with it anymore, I am even losing body mass."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2008

"I was diagnosed with proctitis (only in the first 7 inches of the rectum) and had pain on and off every 4-5 months for 10 years until I got medicated for it. Canasa is great if you use it when symptoms arise and keep using it 5-10 days after the symptom finishes. Remission for me is still 3-4 months, but for now, Canasa relieves the pain and inflammation."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2015

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Gives me moderate headaches, acne, fatigue, and susceptibility to infections when I use it, but it does help to manage ulcerative colitis. I have to balance between the side effects of the medicine and the intestinal damage. My goal is to use it once a week."

• Pec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

For Ulcerative Proctitis "I can't afford Canasa. 2 doctors have prescribed it for me. I am on Medicare, and it will put me into the coverage gap in just a few months. Then I pay lots more for all my drugs. What a scam. I tried Apriso, and it gave me tinnitus."

• Emi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 27, 2022

For Ulcerative Proctitis "I have had ulcerative colitis and proctitis since I was 25 years old. It started after using Accutane for my acne. My GI doctor prescribed Canasa, and it worked. After two weeks of use, it went into remission and stayed there for years. Recently (I’m in my 50s now), it has been flaring up, and when I use Canasa, it works every time. I use it nightly for two weeks, then taper off by switching to every other day for a week and then once every 3 days. It works well as long as I stay away from the triggers (dairy, caffeine…). It’s expensive, so when the generic became available, I used it last year. Not the same! I used it for two weeks and saw no improvements whatsoever. I went back to Canasa, and all is well again. The price difference is huge between generic and brand, but I have no choice and can’t afford to be sick all the time. Insurance used to cover the brand, but now it doesn’t cover it entirely. This is unfortunate for those who can’t afford it."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2021

For Ulcerative Proctitis "3 years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Was prescribed Canasa, it works well. Before I retired, I did not have to pay for it, but now I have to pay a $75 copayment. No side effects so far."

• prm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2024

For Ulcerative Proctitis "I've been using Canasa for more than a year, and I definitely see a difference whenever I miss a dosage, so I try to stay on schedule. It's easy to administer and stops the discharge and cramps. My current concern is that Avenue will no longer be making it, and getting through the pharmacy is not feasible for me since I can't afford it. I'm bracing myself for having severe cramping and discomfort along with discharge. Hoping the suspension for production is temporary. Such a shame that I found something to work, and due to financial constraints, I have to go back to square one. Just the same, I appreciate the time I had with relief."

• Sic...
• April 4, 2010

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This medicine stopped the pain of two severe colon fistulas (fissures?) in about three days. I'm very glad to have had it prescribed, and to my knowledge, no side effects."

• poo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2023

For Ulcerative Proctitis "First time, it worked in 6 weeks. This time, it's taken much longer."