Mesalamine and Gas: What Users Say

• Cha...
• September 9, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "My doctor switched me from Asacol HD to Lialda after I lost my insurance and needed a less expensive substitute. I was worried because I had grown accustomed to Asacol and did very well on that medicine. After a few days of adjusting to Lialda, with no real problems or side effects (just a little gas during the first 48 hours), I feel fantastic on Lialda. I've been on Lialda for about 5 months now and feel as good, if not better than I did on Asacol. I have fewer headaches than I did on Asacol and feel great with fewer stomach cramps. Best of all, for me or anyone who is on the go during the day, I now take one Lialda tablet, twice daily (once in the morning, once at night). This is compared to two Asacol tablets THREE times daily."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I have fairly severe ulcerative colitis, and after 4 months of feeling horrible, tired, bloody diarrhea with the constant urge to go and fear of eating and setting it off again, I was finally diagnosed and put on Lialda - 4 pills once a day. At first, it caused horrible gas and bloating and took about a week or so to help the symptoms at all, but after a few weeks, the symptoms were completely gone and the side effects went away as my body got used to the medication. Then, about 1 month into taking it, I developed horrible cystic acne all over my face, neck, chest, even in my nostrils and ears! My doctor cut the dose in half to 2 pills once a day and within a few days, my skin started to clear and heal. I have been on the lower dose for about a month with no problems!!"

• SUZ...
• September 20, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I have had colitis for 20 years. I was prescribed steroids but did not want to take them. I had gas, bloating, loose, watery, foul-smelling bowel movements. Up to 20 a day. I started on Asacol 800 mg. I took 6 tabs a day. Two in the morning, 2 midday, and 2 at bedtime. I saw no results and was even passing whole tablets... as I know it is common. I almost threw in the towel. At the 3-month mark, I had formed stools and minimal gas and bloating. You have to be patient. Our bowels did not get sick overnight... so you are not going to be cured overnight. 20 years of issues took about 3 months on Asacol. Now I am down to 2 x 800 mg tabs maintenance dose. 1 tab in the morning and 1 tab at night. I still have the odd loose bowel movement if I eat greasy food or drink too much coffee. But all in all... well worth it."

• Bos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I take Lialda 3.6 g each morning, which cleared up my diarrhea and bloody stool, but I have had neurological side effects of headaches, fatigue, and slow thinking, and abdominal pain, gas, and bloating as well. I'm too scared to switch to other meds despite an Asacol prescription, given the risk of flare-ups when meds change, but I don't want the mental haziness for the rest of my life."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I've had ulcerative colitis for nearly 15 years. I'm on quite a few meds for it and have to do intermittent steroid rounds due to active flares. I've had a few flares this year that have been challenging to get under control... with the usual frequency/urgency, blood in stool, pain/discomfort. I have used Canasa suppositories in the past with little improvement. It had been years since I'd used Rowasa - but my doc suggested we try them again... I couldn't be more thankful. Within days, my pain/discomfort/frequency has already been reduced, with an almost immediate decrease in pain/discomfort. ONE THING TO NOTE: before administering this med, make sure to gently shake the bottle THEN SQUEEZE UNTIL THE AIR IS OUT OF THE BOTTLE. Otherwise, it can cause additional gas/pain."

• Pea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 3, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I’ve been taking Lialda for 6 years. I started on a very high dose but have reduced it over the years. I do believe it gives me gas, stomach aches, and I often have soft stools and mild cramping. I spoke to my doctor about it, and he agrees it is probably the Lialda, but I didn’t want to switch in fear a new drug would not be as effective. I can deal with the side effects I have, but I definitely don’t want another flare-up. With that said, it works for me, but with annoying side effects. Also, the price is ridiculous! For a while, I could use coupons, but they aren’t available since a generic was introduced. Thank goodness I have insurance, but it’s still high."

• tpk...
• June 9, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "My GP had me on another drug for 4 years and was feeling great. An annual colonoscopy showed nothing, so the 'Great Gastro' took me off everything, and about a month later, everything blew up. Went back to a Nurse Practitioner who apologized and put me on Lialda and Canasa. 1 week later, great again. Ins Co, after 6 months, decided not to pay for Lialda, so I was put on another couple, worked for a couple months, then blew up again. NP called Ins Co and got them to approve Lialda, Canasa again, and 2 months in, all ok except after eating, still bloating and gas. We explored my eating habits, and she (NP) took me off gluten, and gas and bloating stopped. Joints stopped aching. Try it! Can even touch my toes!!! Best NP around at OSU Gastro Clinic in Co."

• tes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I got UC 3 years after quitting smoking at age 70. As I was always healthy before, I was rather dismayed to be told I have ulcerative colitis. I take the enema and find it difficult to use as well as a nuisance. I do not 'go' as often and there is no more blood, but I am tired, have headaches, bloating, flatulence, and cramps---to the extent that I now get very little sleep. Before, my symptoms were in the morning. Now, I feel urgency to go all day---as well as most nights. Won't say I'm sorry I quit smoking. I'll just say I'm glad I smoked as long as I did. Hope others have better experiences with this drug."

• Pao...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "Helps me somewhat. I was diagnosed recently, I'm only 19. I don't bleed anymore, thank God. I would have bloody stool 6-10 times a day. The only thing I do get is really gassy, and it hurts. Is that normal? Also, I am on Remicade."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Well, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 29... but the doctors thought I had it before then, 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 500 mg, three times a day. At first, I did okay with it, but I'm horrible at taking medicine, so I started decreasing the amount that I took. The 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."

• Kat...
• August 9, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I have had UC since I was 14 and now 64. Have had numerous flare-ups through this period, but have been very well looked after by consultants and have regular check-ups. Been well for years now, but am now experiencing a bout of I think proctitis, mucus, and wind and running to the toilet. Not due to the consultant for a few months. Started taking Asacol foam enema and am obviously intolerant, as it does not stay in and causes even more mucus. Need to change enemas. Had this now for a few months, need to change to Prednisolone enema. Or has anyone else found something that works well? A call to the consultant is required, I think."

• fuf...
• March 8, 2010

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I am taking Asacol for the last 4 years, and I am still having problems with gas and a full stomach, with or without eating or drinking. I am having inflammation in the body, increasing weight, and increasing prolactin (milk), not focusing well, and discomfort."

• Dud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2021

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "PT 1: Took Lialda after being diagnosed with UC in 2010, with visible ulcers in the ascending and transverse sections of the colon. I was having severe bleeding with stools, frequent abdominal cramping and gas after meals, frequent diarrhea, and BMs with constant urgency. I took it for 3 years, and in combination with adjusting diet, it cleared the UC symptoms and got me back to normal. I didn't have any severe side effects, it might've made me feel lethargic and overweight at times, which is why I wanted to get off it as soon as I felt better. I had remission for 5 years after I stopped taking it. PT 2: Microscopic colitis came back in the lower colon, and I’ve had no luck with Lialda (generic and brand versions) or Apriso. Had to go on Prednisone twice for flares and have had constant gas, bloating, constipation, and urgency issues for 3 years now. Looking at switching to a biologic pill like Zeposia or Imuran because Xeljanz is now on FDA watch for blood clots."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2022

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "This caused gas, bloating, cramps, and slight nausea. I have no idea why this med didn't work. I figured at 76 years old, who needed the extra pain and agony? Oh, I also had diarrhea, that was not good either. It never stopped."

• UCs...
• June 28, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis "Mesalamine is great, it has kept me in remission for longer periods of time than other drugs, even biologics. The only thing I can somewhat complain about is that it makes me extremely gassy and the occasional headaches from it."

• den...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2022

For Lymphocytic Colitis "Diagnosed in 2018 for lymphocytic colitis. On mesalamine for one year. Helped keep the diarrhea down to 3 to 4 times a day in the mornings. All of a sudden, I am having soft stools and not going every day. Also having a lot of indigestion and gas. I'm in a no-win situation with this stuff."

• Jkh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2024

For Ulcerative Colitis "I have been on the 375 extended release for a year. The gas and headaches are kind of a problem. Seems to be working in the gut."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2022

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "The experience on Asacol has been very negative, I have had too much gas, acidity, and the worst of all was anxiety."

• UCa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 3, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Tablets are very difficult to remove from packaging. Additionally, they cause gas and frequency of bowel evacuation early the following day."