{"id":5604,"date":"2020-12-22T15:40:13","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T15:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/?p=5604"},"modified":"2021-07-15T19:52:33","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T19:52:33","slug":"asacol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/medicines\/asacol\/","title":{"rendered":"Asacol &#8211; Mesalazine uses, dose and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\n\n400 mg and 800 mg&nbsp;enteric-coated tablets&nbsp;are&nbsp;<br>mesalazine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. What Asacol is and what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol contains the active substance mesalazine and is available in two strengths containing 400 mg or 800 mg mesalazine.&nbsp;It is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat&nbsp;ulcerative colitis.&nbsp;Ulcerative colitis&nbsp;is a disease in which the lining of the colon (&nbsp;colon&nbsp;) or rectum (&nbsp;rectum&nbsp;) becomes inflamed (red and swollen), leading to frequent and bloody stools, often accompanied by stomach cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol dissolves in the colon and counteracts&nbsp;inflammation&nbsp;throughout the colon and rectum.&nbsp;Asacol is used to treat mild to moderate&nbsp;acute&nbsp;ulcerative colitis&nbsp;and to prevent recurrence of the disease.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mesalazine contained in Asacol may also be approved for the treatment of other conditions not mentioned in this leaflet.&nbsp;Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional if you have any further questions, and always follow their instructions.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. What you need to know before you use Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do not use Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>if you are allergic to mesalazine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).<\/li><li>if you are allergic to salicylates (eg&nbsp;acetylsalicylic acid&nbsp;)<\/li><li>if you have severe hepatic impairment<\/li><li>if you have severe renal impairment<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warnings and cautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to your doctor before using Asacol if you have any other medical conditions or illnesses, especially if you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>problems with your lungs, such as&nbsp;asthma.<\/li><li>previously&nbsp;allergic&nbsp;to sulfasalazine.<\/li><li>had an&nbsp;allergic reaction&nbsp;in the heart such as&nbsp;inflammation&nbsp;of the heart muscle or pericardium.&nbsp;If you have previously had allergic reactions in your heart that are suspected to be caused by mesalazine, you should not use Asacol.&nbsp;Asacol can be used with caution if you have previously had an&nbsp;allergic reaction&nbsp;in the heart that was not caused by mesalazine.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have&nbsp;stomach ulcers, you should use Asacol with caution.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kidney stones&nbsp;can form when using mesalazine.&nbsp;Symptoms may include pain in the sides of the abdomen and blood in the urine.&nbsp;Be sure to drink enough fluids during treatment with mesalazine.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examination of liver, kidneys, and blood<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before and while taking Asacol, your doctor may want to check if your liver, kidneys, blood, and lungs are working properly.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tablets in the stool<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been occasional reports of whole tablets in the stool.&nbsp;What appears to be whole tablets can sometimes be the remnants of the tablet coating.&nbsp;If you frequently notice tablets or shells of tablets in your stool, you should consult your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Children and young people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol is only recommended for use in children 6 years of age and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other medicines and Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Drugs that counteract the development of blood clots (&nbsp;anticoagulants, such as&nbsp;warfarin&nbsp;).<\/li><li>Drugs that affect the immune system (eg azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or thioguanine).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asacol with food, drink, and alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>See section 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pregnancy and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving and using machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol has no or negligible effect on the ability to drive and use machines, but if you are still affected in any way, do not drive or use machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asacol contains lactose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Asacol contains&nbsp;sodium<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg)&nbsp;sodium&nbsp;per dose unit, ie essentially &#8216;sodium-free&#8217;.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. How to use Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Always use Asacol exactly as your doctor has told you.&nbsp;Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol should be taken before a meal.&nbsp;The tablets must be swallowed whole, preferably with liquid.&nbsp;The tablets must not be chewed, crushed, or divided before swallowing.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your doctor will decide what&nbsp;dose&nbsp;you should take.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The recommended&nbsp;dose&nbsp;is:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Adults<\/strong><\/em><\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Acute&nbsp;forest:<\/em><\/td><td>2400 mg once daily or 2400\u20114800 mg daily divided into 2-3 dosing sessions.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Maintenance treatment:<\/em><\/td><td>1600\u20112400 mg once daily or divided into 2-3 dosing sessions.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><em>Use for children and adolescents:<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>There is only limited evidence of efficacy in children (6-18 years).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><em>Children \u2265 6 years<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dose&nbsp;one depends on the weight of the child and is calculated by the doctor.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you forget to take Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you forget to take a&nbsp;dose&nbsp;at the right time, take the next&nbsp;dose&nbsp;as usual.&nbsp;Do not take a double&nbsp;dose&nbsp;to make up for a forgotten&nbsp;dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you stop using Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Use Asacol for as long as your doctor prescribes it.&nbsp;Talk to your doctor before changing or stopping treatment.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Possible side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all medicines, this medicine can cause&nbsp;side effects,&nbsp;although not everybody gets them.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stop taking Asacol immediately and contact a doctor immediately<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>you develop unexplained bruising (without injury), bleeding under the skin, purple spots or spots under the skin,&nbsp;anemia&nbsp;(feeling tired, weak, and pale especially on the lips, nails, and inside of the eyelids), high fever,&nbsp;acute&nbsp;stomach pain, sore throat or unusual bleeding (eg nosebleeds).<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol can in very rare cases affect the white&nbsp;blood cells&nbsp;so that the&nbsp;defense against&nbsp;infection deteriorates.&nbsp;If you get an&nbsp;infection&nbsp;with symptoms such as fever with severe general deterioration or fever with local infection symptoms such as sore throat\/pharynx\/mouth or urination problems, you should see a doctor as soon as possible so that blood tests can rule out a lack of&nbsp;white blood cells&nbsp;(&nbsp;agranulocytosis&nbsp;).&nbsp;It is important that you inform about your medication.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Other&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;ar<\/strong><\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common:&nbsp;<em>affects up to 1 in 10 people<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>rash<\/li><li>indigestion<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Uncommon:&nbsp;<em>affects up to 1 in 100 people<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>a high number of&nbsp;white blood cells&nbsp;called eosinophilic&nbsp;granulocyte&nbsp;s<\/li><li>a feeling of tingling, numbness<\/li><li>itchy skin,&nbsp;hives<\/li><li>chest pain<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rare:&nbsp;<em>affects up to 1 in 1,000 people<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>headache<\/li><li>dizziness<\/li><li>inflammation&nbsp;of the heart with symptoms such as chest pain or palpitations<\/li><li>diarrhea, abdominal pain,&nbsp;flatulence, the feeling of anxiety and discomfort in the stomach with vomiting reflexes and vomiting<\/li><li>increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet light (&nbsp;photosensitivity&nbsp;)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Very rare<\/strong>:&nbsp;<strong><em>affects up to 1 in 10,000 people<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>a sharp decrease in the number of&nbsp;blood cells&nbsp;which may cause weakness, bruising or increase the risk of infection, low number of&nbsp;blood cells, decreased number of&nbsp;platelets, which increases the risk of bleeding<\/li><li>allergic reactions such as skin rash<\/li><li>fever that occurs when you take the medicine and that disappears when you stop taking the medicine (drug-triggered fever)<\/li><li>diseases of the immune system that may involve organs and joints<\/li><li>ulcerative colitis&nbsp;throughout the colon<\/li><li>affected or damaged nerves that can cause numbness or tingling<\/li><li>lung disease (scarring of lung tissue, allergic reactions) which may cause difficulty in breathing, coughing or wheezing and accumulation of fluid in the lungs,&nbsp;pneumonia<\/li><li>inflammation&nbsp;of the&nbsp;pancreas&nbsp;(associated with pain in the upper abdomen and back and nausea)<\/li><li>abnormal liver tests,&nbsp;hepatitis&nbsp;(&nbsp;inflammation&nbsp;of the liver that causes&nbsp;flu-like symptoms&nbsp;and jaundice)<\/li><li>hair loss<\/li><li>muscle or joint pain<\/li><li>kidney problems (such as&nbsp;inflammation&nbsp;and scarring of the kidneys),&nbsp;renal failure, which may be transient if treatment is stopped early<\/li><li>transient reduction in sperm production<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>No known frequency:&nbsp;<em>can not be calculated from the available data<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>a disease of the immune system (lupus-like syndrome) which may cause&nbsp;inflammation&nbsp;of the pericardium or alveoli, skin rash, and\/or joint pain<\/li><li>inflammation&nbsp;of the membrane surrounding the lungs and thoracic cavity (pneumonia)<\/li><li>intolerance to mesalazine and\/or worsening of the disease<\/li><li>kidney stones&nbsp;and pain from the kidneys (see also section 2)<\/li><li>weight loss<\/li><li>abnormal laboratory test results<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Reporting of side effects<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.&nbsp;This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.&nbsp;You can also report side effects directly to the Medical Products Agency,&nbsp;www.lakemedelsverket.se.&nbsp;By reporting side effects, you can help increase drug safety information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. How to store Asacol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not store above 25 \u00b0 C.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton.&nbsp;The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.&nbsp;Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.&nbsp;These measures will help to protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Contents of the packaging and other information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Content declaration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The active substance is mesalazine.&nbsp;One tablet contains 400 mg or 800 mg of mesalazine.<\/li><li>The other ingredients are&nbsp;lactose monohydrate, sodium&nbsp;starch glycolate&nbsp;(type A), magnesium stearate (vegetable origin) E 572, talc E 553b, povidone, methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer (1: 2), triethyl citrate, yellow iron oxide (E 172), 17 iron) macrogol 6000.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the medicine looks like and the contents of the pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol 400 mg enteric-tablets: reddish-brown film-coated tablets, 100 tablets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asacol 800 mg enteric-tablets: reddish-brown film-coated tablets, 60, 3 x 60 and 180 tablets.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all pack sizes may be marketed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tillotts Pharma AB, Gustavslundsv\u00e4gen 135, 167 51 Bromma.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Manufacturer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Haupt Pharma W\u00fclfing GmbH, Bethelner Landstr 18, D-31028 Gronau, Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rottendorf Pharma GmbH, Ostenfelder Strasse 51 &#8211; 61, 59320 Ennigerloh, Germany<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Asacol contains the active substance mesalazine and is available in two strengths containing 400 mg or 800 mg mesalazine. It is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a disease in which the lining of the colon ( colon ) or rectum ( rectum ) becomes inflamed (red and swollen), leading to frequent and bloody stools, often accompanied by stomach cramps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2201,2200],"tags":[9954,9960,9949,9952,9959,9953,9956,9955,9950,9951],"class_list":["post-5604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a","category-medicines","tag-asacol","tag-asacol-tabelt","tag-mesalazine","tag-mesalazine-tablet","tag-side-effects-of-asacol","tag-side-effects-of-mesalazine","tag-what-asacol-is-used-for","tag-what-is-asacol","tag-what-is-mesalazine","tag-what-mesalazine-is-used-for"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5604"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12459,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions\/12459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}