Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 2)

• Gazza...
• May 4, 2016

Pentasa (mesalamine) "This drug PENTASA is the worst drug that I have ever taken, I had sever vomiting at least over 20 times in the space of 3 to4 hrs and sever diarrheoa which was even worse this occurred every 20 minutes or less sometimes but NO bloody that I was aware of.....So people be warned this drug is CRAP IT really is ..."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I am a 25-year-old female who was diagnosed with Crohn's almost 2 months ago. Pentasa has helped to relieve the very severe stomach cramping I was experiencing before my diagnosis. This is the first treatment my doctor has given me, but after a month of taking 4-250 mg capsules 4 times a day (in combination with Budesonide 9 mg), I finally feel comfortable after eating. I'm not noticing any side effects yet. Maybe I'm lucky, though, after reading some of these other reviews. I wish I didn't have to take 16 of them each day, but to be able to stand up after a meal is wonderful for someone who used to keel over screaming and crying with a rock-hard stomach after eating."

• Ritz...
• April 26, 2017

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I have been taking Pentasa since 10 years and has relieved all cramps and distentions. I'm able to lead my life comfortably now. Only recently I have developed rashes all over and want to know in case any one else facing same way."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2009

Asacol (mesalamine) "I was diagnosed with Crohn's at 41 and have been taking this medication since then (approximately 2 years). It has worked perfectly for me, and I have had no flare-ups or side effects. I currently take 2 tablets 3 times a day. I now have my life back."

• Nene
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 25, 2014

Asacol HD (mesalamine) "I use to be on Asacol 400mg, but they stopped making or something. So, I've been on Asacol HD 800mg for about a year. I think it's the best for me, because I really haven't had any severe or major side effects from the medicine. It is doing the job it is supposed to do. I've been taking Asacol for over 20 years. Never had to try anything else, but for some reason they want me to try Imuran, and I don't like what the reviews are saying about it. Like they say, if it's not broke don't fix it. Overall, I've had some flares over the 20 yrs., but nothing is worth me having to get use to another medicine."

• reds_...
• December 26, 2009

Pentasa (mesalamine) "My husband has only been taking Pentasa for a few days, but he has had terrible side effects since day one. His Crohn's had become progressively worse over the years so his GI doctor prescribed Pentasa. He has chest pains, headaches, severe nausea and vomiting as well as loss of appetite. I saw that one person had to lower his dose after 3 weeks, and I wonder if that was due to his experience of these effects also. I know Pentasa has great potential, but how long will these effects last?"

• Scorch
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2018

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I am 65 years old and have had crohns since I was 19. I have tried different meds but over the last 20 years have been very happy with 2 , 500 mg of Pentasa daily. It keeps me out of hospital and maintains my condition to the point I can live with it. However now that I am on medicare and have lost my drug coverage the cost has gone from $400 for a 3 month supply to $1500 for same 3 month supply. I ask my doctor about trying another drug, it calls for 9, 750 mg pills a day so here goes wish me luck."

• belly
• March 31, 2015

Pentasa (mesalamine) "My main symptoms were diarrhea and bloody mucous stools. Once on pentasa 4g a day the symptoms had stopped. Until a month ago where they began along with a lot of wind. Was using suppositories as well initially 1 then 2 per day. I've stopped taking all medication till I see my specialist so far symptoms are on worse- better if anything no longer running to toilet all day. I've had collitis for less then a year I'm 35"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 22, 2020

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I'm a 51 year old Male from Scotland and was diagnosed with Crohn's at 30 . I take 1 sachet of pentasa in the morning and it has been keeping everything at bay. I can have a pint or 2 and can eat what I like with no effects. I can suffer cramps in my back passage through the night which lasts about 15-30 mins, every 2/3 months. Also losing my hair and on blood pressure tablets . This is side effects to Pentasa."

• Gigi
• February 25, 2010

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I was diagnosed w/Crohn's in 2005 after having years of severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramping & nausea. After a few weeks of taking the Pentasa (4 grams daily) I felt unbelievably better. Within the last year I have had lots of break through flares & have had to add other meds (6-MP & Humira shots). I have had an active flare since mid-December w/no relief. I have reduced my Pentasa to 2 grams a day because I had noticed that my nausea & other symptoms were more severe on the 4 grams. Even though I feel better my symptoms have not improved enough & I have to now add Remicade infussion therapy to my long list of meds. I think that these meds are helpful as long as they are adjusted depending on your symptoms."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2009

Asacol (mesalamine) "Asacol had no impact on my Crohn's flare-ups at all. Until the biologic medicines came out, I had no relief at all. I suggest starting with mild drug like this but to realize that there are so many more options available today if this does not help."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2017

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Well, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 29... but the doctors thought I had it before then but I was pregnant and it laid dormant for about a year. My intestines burst one year ago and I had to have bowel resection...20 inches and my appendix. After all that, they put me on steroids and pentasa two 500mg, 3 times a day. At first I did ok with it but I'm horrible at taking medicine so I started decreasing the amount that I took. Doctor is not thrilled of course but now that I haven't taken it for a while, I feel no different than when I'm on it. I have diarrhea anytime I eat and occasional gas with pain but that's it... I'm lucky I know and still not sure if I'm making the right choice but meds are $70/mo"

• Sarah
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 6, 2021

Pentasa (mesalamine) "500 mg x 4. Took it for duration of disease (30 years). My GI was negligent. Disease was never fully active in her care. Early on, she expressed doubt that I had Crohn’s disease until pathology came back positive. Disease became active after 28 years of mild inflammation. GI dismissed my complaints (only believes colonoscopy, referred back to last colonoscopy as evidence) until new colonoscopy revealed fistula. Referred to new GI who said I had never been treated for Crohn’s disease because Pentasa doesn’t work for fistulizing Crohn’s. Inflammatory polyps were present and removed at every single colonoscopy with the negligent GI. New GI used biologic, zero inflammation at colonoscopy. Pentasa - easy to take. Does nothing for your Crohn’s. Inflammatory polyps should not exist if treatment is working. It isn’t preventing inflammation if you have INFLAMMATION."

• Bs mom
• May 17, 2009

Asacol (mesalamine) "My son has Crohn's disease and has done very well on the Asacol. He has no complaints and shows no side effects. He has taken as many as nine tablets per day at one time. I've been very happy with the results, reducing his bouts of diarrhea drastically."

• Buzzb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 22, 2016

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I was on Pentasa for 19 years but every time I had a colonoscopy the crohn's was progressing. I finally ended in the hospital with a severe inflammation. I was told by 2 GI docs that the Pentasa was probably not working but back in 1997, except for 6mp they really had no other alternative. 2 months ago I switched to Humira. Many more side effects than Pentasa however."

• Jax
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 11, 2022

Asacol HD (mesalamine) "Diagnosed with UC at 21/22 years old. As disease progressed, updated diagnosis to Crohn's Disease. Daily dosages of Asacol HD 800 since medication manufactured. 2021-2022 medication difficult to locate. Recently without medication for 14 days and Crohn's symptoms started to appear sending me between bathroom and bed. Ate baby food. Obtained medication on 15th day and symptoms subsided. Now, eating normally within one week. Dosage 3x day without food. Crohn's into remission as medication stops inflammation."

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2010

Asacol (mesalamine) "Had Crohn's/Colitis for years, been on Asacol for the past 16 years, started with three pills three times daily for almost a year, then 3 tablets twice daily with breakfast and dinner. Still have few flares, but otherwise decent. NO side effects."

• Loris...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2016

Asacol HD (mesalamine) "Diagnosed with Crohn's at 42. Took Asacol till a couple years ago. It was no longer available. Now on Asacol HD. Works well and no flares in 2 years. Price is expensive. Our insurance just sent us a letter they will no longer cover it starting next month. Gastro doc will be switching me to another name brand (Lialda). I hope it works the same!"

• MinCA
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 2, 2022

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1994. Over the first couple of years I bounced around on Prednisone, Metronidazole and a few other things. After a year, a new GI put me on Pentasa. I started at 1 gm each morning and night and have since reduced to 750mg morning and night. By avoiding trigger foods, reducing stress and getting plenty of exercise - my Crohns is reasonably controlled. I haven't even had a significant flare in 5 years. I have experienced just about zero side effects other than some increased sun sensitivity. My old GI spent 15 years trying to convince me to that Pentasa does not work and I should try one of the expensive biologicals with a plethora of side effects. My new GI is happy to see that I am doing well with minimal therapy. My insurance is currently bugging me to try the new Pentasa generic. They charge me $40 a month more to have Pentasa. I need to get my GI's opinion."

• Crohn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2023

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Pentasa has helped with the inflammation of my Early Stage Crohn’s. I take 2 tablets three times a day. I still have flares on occasion, and I have had some side effects but nothing too difficult to manage. Mostly, this drug is very expensive, and my insurance company won’t cover it, so I have to order it from a Canadian drug company. I wish this was more affordable!"

• Brand...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2016

Salofalk (mesalamine) "Switched from Pentasa which I was throwing up or having it come out in bits in my stool (not absorbed). Salofalk is easier to swallow and has kept me in remission although how much of it is due to the drug and not just avoiding stress which triggers my symptoms I don't know. It is coated better than Pentasa and the oblong shape works better for swallowing as they are not small."

• Brand...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 27, 2022

Salofalk (mesalamine) "Salofalk I got first in the hospital while I was on Pentasa at home. Found it easier to swallow. I requested to be switched so I could swallow it (even when later developing a non-related swallowing disorder). Does not show up in bits in my stool (not absorbed) like Pentasa did. So far it has kept me in remission. Went from 2 pills 3-times a day to 2 pills twice a day to now only 2 pills in the morning."

• Medic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2022

Pentasa (mesalamine) "Just diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease about two weeks ago. Have suspected it for some time, due to intense pain and cramping after eating, a bowel obstruction and a fairly sizeable weight loss (over about a 4 month period) My GI Doc started me on Pentasa, 4 pills twice a day to see how I respond. So far so good. No ill side effects to speak of. It’s nice to finally be able to eat food without pain and cramping. Taking it combined with Prednisone (steroids for about 7 more weeks). Fingers crossed it continues to look up and be positive from here. Thankfully I have good health insurance and get a 90 day supply for cheap, because I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t."

• crohnie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 12, 2024

Pentasa (mesalamine) "I have had a good experience with Pentasa. I have been on 4g a day for the last 10 years for Crohn's disease. I don't think I have any major side effects. I have been in remission, blood and scope wise, for years. I do have some symptoms, like cramps and upset stomach every now and then, and have to pace myself sometimes, but overall I'm happy with it. It's not completely perfect symptom wise, but I can live a decent life with it, so all good."

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2022

"I just turned 25 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease from a colonoscopy. I was a bit shocked at the diagnosis at first because I had been told since I was 18 years old that I just had IBS, gluten intolerance, and dairy intolerance. I suffered on and off with horrible symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. I thought that I would just have to deal with these symptoms for the rest of my life until I was prescribed Mesalamine. I take 2 pills in the morning, with or without food, and I can eat without having any IBS/ Crohn’s symptoms. I have no side effects with the medication. I never take the time to write a review for a medication, but I want people to know that you can be symptom free without taking a medication that causes more side effects than relief! I hope that this medicine can help others the way it helped me."