There are 340 ratings for the drug: ASACOL in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for asacol: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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1	Ulcerative colitis	Thanks to this site, I quit Asacol the first day. I definitely have UC and it was hidden until I quit smoking 5 years ago. After one year, the UC got so bad, the doc wanted to hospitalize me because my blood count was so low. She told me that any more bleeding, I was to go directed to the hospital. That same day, my 20-year-old daughter brought some Kefir to me. She said "Try this dad. I've been reading good things on how it helps the colon." THAT DAY, the bleeding stopped and has never returned!!! I drink some twice a day (maybe 1/2 cup each). If I stop drinking it for 2 days, theUC starts coming back. My doctor is stunned and is now telling other patients about it. I want to choke the specialist that prescribed Asacol without trying a probiotic first and without explaining how dangerous Asacol is. I have told others about it and they threw away their Asacol and steroids!!!	Kefir is a probiotic beverage that is sold in health food stores or departments and is made by Lifeway. Google it and read all the benefits of the 10 beneficial bacteria. It has been years now and NO diarhea and NO bleeding for me!!! And, it is nutritious and delicious. I will never again trust the medical community to disclose that there is such a simple potential solution.	M	53	1 days 1X D		2/3/2010
1	Crohn's	Rash on face, acne, hair loss		M	18	11 months		2/2/2010
1	Ulcerative Colitis	Acne, sweating, dry eyes		F	31	1 years		1/30/2010
4	collagenous colitis	hair loss, chest pain	initial response to med was good--15-20 stools/day started to decrease. Night sweats that were part of my colitis symptoms subsided. After two weeks, developed greatly increased diarrhea, low grade fever, recurrance of night sweats, episodes of severe chest pain with radiation to arms, neck pain. these symptoms persisted about 2 weeks, after which they gradually began to subside. Marked improvement with somewhat normal bowel function after 3 months & almost complete return to normal after 6 months. During the 2 week period of severe reaction to the med, also developed pneumonia noted on x ray and higher blood pressure....not sure if these developements were related to Asacol. Can eat most foods now except extremes.	F	65	6 months		1/20/2010
1	UC	weight gain, acne, hair loss, profuse sweating	NOT WORTH IT!! Very expensive + doesn't work + has bad side effects.	F	23	4 months		1/12/2010
1	UC	Acne, severe hair loss, weight gain, dry eyes, rash, sweating, increase of UC symptoms		M	32	1 years		1/8/2010
5	Ulcerative colitis - C-Diff	None	I started taking Asacol 3 weeks ago. I had antiobiotic related diarrhea for over 3 months! I was never so sick or weak and thought I'd never feell better again. So far, the Asacol has given me my life back! I take 3 - 400 mg pills twice daily.	F	61	3 weeks		1/1/2010
3	UC	Crabby, tired, sad	Hard to tell what benefit I received though my symptoms went from initail UC to Chrohns disagnosis which isn't good. I take 12 a day and sometimes find them whole in my stool.	F	39	5 days		12/22/2009 Email
1	UC			M	18	12 months		11/24/2009
4	Ulcerative Colitis	Sweats - especially at night, Intense cramping and upper abdomen pain only for the first couple days, increased heart rate, dizziness/head rush, possible neck/back pain	I have been taking Asacol for 10 days and have noticed less blood in stool and a noticeable reduction in frequency of bowel movements. Still don't feel completely up to par, but do believe the medicine is having a positive effect. Would advise everyone actively using the med to do regular blood tests and get on fish oil and joint compound supplements at a minimum (email if you would like a good link for pharmaceutical grade supplements). Also, for those with active cramping I have noticed Cannabis provides a GREAT relief... legalize it...	M	27	10 days		11/23/2009 Email
5	UC	Acne, weight gain, leg cramps	The side effects are well worth having my freedom back! Instead of incontinence and running to the bathroom 20-30 times a day, I can go out and live a normal life. This medicine has been a godsend for clearing up my UC symptoms, but my insurance wont cover it and at 6 pills a day this $300 a bottle medicine goes way too quickly. It's frustrating to have to choose between being sick or being broke.	F	27	3 weeks		11/19/2009 Email
1	Crohn's / Colitis	KIDNEY FAILURE. BLOOD IN STOOL. I ended up needing a transplant after 4 or 5 years of my doctors telling me that I'll get better. I was on asacol for 4 months and I'm effected by it for the rest of my life (when I started it I was 19).	Since being on Asacol I had to get a transplant. My kidney's slowly failed and now I'm left with bills I'll never be able to pay, medications I'm slowly becoming not able to pay for, and now that I'm at three years after my transplant I have to find insurance (however I'm now uninsurable).	F	26	4 months		10/22/2009 Email
5	Crohns Stage 2	NONE	This drug literally has saved my life. Had 10" of intestine removed, and contracted C-Diff in the hospital. Crohns was so bad it invaded my appendix and ruptured it. They tried me on Endocort and it almost killed me. I take 6 Asacol per day and aside from my hair turning wavy, it has got me back to feeling human again.	M	53	1 years		10/7/2009
1	Ulcerative colitis	Extreme hair loss after l month	I found the package insert re:side effects very inadequate. There was no mention of possible hair loss. I quit cold turkey and after 10 days am still losing handsful of hair.	F	83			10/6/2009
4	Crohn's Disease	Dry eyes, runny nose	My doctor was very displeased at my refusal of prednisone, but I feel that a combination of Asacol and an altered diet have saved my life. Though doctors may tell you that diet has nothing to do with it- obviously, if you know you have trigger foods- DON'T EAT THEM! I'll take a drippy nose over 10-12 bathroom visits a day, no question!	F	26	10 months		10/3/2009
5	Ulcerative Colitis	None	I've had no side affects whatsoever. I was diagnosed in August 2008, therefore, I have been taking the medication for one year. I started out with 2 pills 3x a day (40mg each) and I am now on 2 pills 2x a day. My symptoms cleared up 4 months after I began taking the medication. I personally stopped taking it because I felt good. With this illness, you cannot eat certain foods as suggested by my doctor; fried foods, and dairy products (milk, butter or cheese.) I have changed my diet. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables along with chicken and fish. I exercise daily and I must say, I feel "normal." I'm in remission and I see my GI doctor every 3 months.	F	50	1 years		8/27/2009
1	Ulcerative Cholitis	Nearly destroyed my kidneys until I was taken off it. I am now at stage 4 of Renal diseases because of this awful medicine. First it worked well for about 8 years, then I started having white blood cells show up in my urine. Urologist did not find anything wrong. Primary care physician spotted it and cardiologist noted my creatinine level was high at about 1.9, and referred me to a nephrologist. He never connected asacol to my imminent kidney failure, and my creatinine level jumped rose slowly to 4.1. A second nephrologist knew of the connection between asacol and kidney failure and had me removed from it while giving me huge doses of prednisone. Finally my creatinine level dropped, but I am now on the kidney transplant list and may have to do dialysis if my kidneys fail further.	The makers asacol have no warning anywhere on their drug insert linking asacol and kidney failure. A class action suit should be brought against them for hiding this vital information from patients.	M	50	8 years		8/25/2009 Email
5	U.C	None	This drug has helped me immensely. I was diagnosed in late '06 after suffering terrible cramping, diarrhea and blood loss. I was hospitalized for two weeks in '07 and was given 4 blood transfusions....since then I take Asacol 6 x day along with Imuran 2 x day. Thankfully I have been in remission for two years. I have cut down dramatically on milk and wheat products as they seem to make me sick, as do spicy foods. I am on a plain diet with plenty of exercise and I feel so much better for it. Good Luck People!!	M	42	2 years		8/18/2009 Email
1	crohns	severe joint pain	I never had any symptoms and was surprised to find out from a colonoscopy that I had Crohns. I started to get severe joint pain in my ankles, wrists, shoulders and fingers and the doctors denied it was asacol. I stopped the Asacol and after a week the horrible joint pain went away.	F	55	2 years		8/18/2009
3	U.C.	The Asacol actually helped a skin condition I have had since I was 4years old. It was never diagnosed as anything. problem is it came with a ton of side effects.	side effects were immediatly tiredness and dizzyness. Next muscle cramps or charlie horses. I had them in my feet, calves, thighs, back, and my hands. They were horrible. I also had blinding headaches. I think they fell under the migrane catagory, something I have never had before. I also started to have tenderness where my liver is. That was the final symptom. I can live with my toes and fingers not being clear (normal). I wish I had researched this more before blindly taking meds.	F	38	1 months		8/12/2009 Email
1	Crohn's	Severe Kidney damage. My kidneys function at 25% now. A biopsy was done to prove the Asacol was the reason, this damage is permanent. I have lost my quality of life.	DON'T TAKE THIS MED!!	M	54	1 years		8/12/2009
5	Ulcerative Coilitis	None	I consider Asacol to be a miracle for me. Was severly sick with bleeding, incontinence, diarahea, gas, bloating, adominable cramps, spitting, and making 15+ trips to the bathroom each day. Was sick for 5 years before being diagnosed with UC and prescribed Asacol. After three months on the drug, all symptoms were completely gone. After symptoms stopped, I stopped taking it. Had a flare-up a year later and have now started Asacol again. It has been a month and a half and I am already starting to feel better. I haven't had any side effects.	F	27	6 weeks		8/11/2009
5	Ulcerative Colitis	none	I have been able to keep my UC under control for over 25 years with some form of Mesalazine; sulphasalizine and then asacol.	M	46	25 years		8/7/2009 Email
2	crohns	high fever, diarreaha, excellerated heart beat	Am in remission and dr wanted me to use this for maintenance. Taking 400 mg x3 twice a day. These side effects came on immediately after 2 doses. After reading this web site and feeling like I do, I'm stopping the med.	F	50	3 days		8/2/2009
4	crohn's	constipation, mild headache	Hard to take six pills a day. But it works for mild inflammation within three days	M	44	24 days		7/31/2009 Email
2	Collagenous Colitis	I had reached full remission of sympotoms, and was on a tapering dose of Entocort when GI Physician suggested we try to change to Asocol for continued maintenence. After about 7 days bowel activity started to increase again, and progressed to full out diarrha in less than 3 weeks -- even while continuing on low dose Entocort. Asocol was DISCONTINUED, per Physician. He commented that appx. 5% of people are intolerant of this drug. So, I'm really not anxious to try any of the other 5-ASA's either!	I experienced something of what I considered a full court press from either drug's mfg and/or the pharmacy (I couldn't tell which) with heavy additional advertising and urging me to continue with this drug when it came time to renew the prescription. NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN BEFORE!! ODD!! Reported this to Dr. who shook his head. ???	F	71	21 days		7/25/2009
1	Chrons	Kidney Failure and now on the transplant list. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION YOU WILL LOSE YOUR KIDNEY FUNCTION AND BY THE TIME THE DOCTORS FIND OUT It WILL BE TOO LATE.!!!!!!! I AM NOW ON DISABILITY AND LOST MY CAREER OF 25 YEARS AND MY 6 FIGURE SALARY, just waiting for a lawsuit to be filed and I will jump on the band wagon with the thousands of others. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!		M	44	5 years		7/24/2009 Email
3	crohns	severe muscle and joint pain, fatigue, night sweats, frequent burning stools (8-10/day), difficulty completing a bowel movemet (which means wiping to the point of rawness), cramping, waking up 1-2 times a night to urinate.	Overall this med has worked well and I have been on it for 15 years or so, but the last two times I felt I was having a flare up, my scopes showed completely normal intestinal tissue. Recently all of those side effects were severe and after another normal scope I suspected the Asacol. I am now one week off of the asacol and am sleeping all night with no night sweats and am down to 2-3 movements every other day. I have very little joint pain. I will keep some on hand in case of a future real flare up.. PS to those newly diagnosed: buy Cottonelle disposabe wipes. They are bigger and cheaper than the medicated Tucks or Prep H wipes and work just as well	M	43	15 years		7/22/2009
3	Ulceratice Colitis	HIVES..itchy eyes..		F		3 days		7/20/2009
3	Crohn's	numbness and cramp in hands/arms, hair loss, joint fatigue	I do not feel that my hospital Consultant warned me sufficiently abut this drug, or tested my blood sufficiently for its bad effects. Along with the steroids my bowel movements are now regular from the 12/15 per day plus the fevers are gone, though the steroids had mega bad symptoms, sleepliness, fatigue, poor concentration, shakes, and moon face, everything tasted delicious which of course meant that I gained weight. I am now off the Asacol, and feel that my joints are improving as is the numbness, though my Doctor wants me to take Imuran which reduces the strength of your immune system, sounds like experimenting to me, no thanks!	F	60	5 months		6/27/2009
1	Ulcerative colitis							6/23/2009
5	Collagenous Colitis	Until reading the comments I did not associate my sleeplessness to taking Asacol. It is not so bad that I would stop taking the medication. Before taking Asacol I was so weak and run down that I was hardly able to go to work. After about 90 days of taking it I did not have any more attacks of colitis. I have tried to decrease the dosage per the doctor's instructions but was unable to maintain remission. I now take 2 Asacol in the morning and 2 at night. It has been a lifesaver.		F	63	2 years		6/22/2009
1	UC	Hair loss, became incontinent (wasn't before and went back to being normal after stoppping asacol, so I am pretty sure it wasn't working right for me...)		M				6/21/2009
1	Ulcerative Colitis	Increased Diarrhea, blood in stool(didn't have it prior to Asacol), intense abdominal cramping, fecal incontinence, achy joints.	I had terrible reactions to anything containing mesalamine. Completely exacerbated my UC symptoms. I could immediately feel when the Asacol pill entered my colon, that is when the intense pain would start. I would be curled up in a ball on the couch. Once I discontinued I felt so much better. My GI was shocked at the effects. Mesalamine is usually well tolerated in most patients.	F	32	5 days		6/18/2009
1	UC		I think it's probably safe at low doses, but at high doses, Asacol can be a very dangerous drug. If your doctor wants you on mega doses, I'd find another doctor. The large doses probably have more to do with your doctor's small penis--and giving his patients powerful drugs at large doses makes him feel big and powerful--than your disease. Even the pharmaceutical company that makes Asacol doesn't recommend the mega doses that some doctors give their patients of this...	M				6/15/2009
1	crohns disease	Kidney failure I have been on three transplant waiting lists for a little over a year now. This has turned my life upside down. My Dr. never monitored my kidneys. I was hospitalized with a creatinine of 4.4 normal range is .5 to 1.3 My creatinine never returned to normal and as you age kidney function naturally decreases so my kidneys are working at approximately 23% now and getting worse. Before being treated for crohns with asacol I was strong and healthy. Due to my kidney failure, I'm constantly tired now and many days I'm unable to complete a full work day.	DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. IT CAN DESTROY YOUR KIDNEYS	M	52	7 days		6/11/2009
3	UC	unable to sleep more than 3-4 hours/night, weight gain, 'beach ball" face, increased hunger . The longer I"m on these meds, the harder it is to think. Sleep deprivation, shaky muscles, and inability to think clearly have me rethinking this combination of meds.	1200 mg twice daily combined with 3mg of steroids/day stopped the UC bleeding and diarrhea, but side effects of combined drugs are becoming increasingly problematic and difficult to live/work in the real world.	F	54	40 days		6/8/2009
4	UC	Mild hair loss with extremely dry scalp	I thought I just had dandruff, but the shampoos didn't help and my hair was falling out whenever I ran my fingers through it. Overall, the drug worked pretty well. I took 12 a day for over a year. After a while, it quit working, so now I'm taking Lialda	M	21	1 years		6/2/2009
2	Colitis	Increased bleeding and pains by back and side.	It worked good at first then after about 6 weeks I went down to maintenance dosage I started getting constipated and having colon aches. I slowly tapered down and felt better for about 4 days then got some mucus and started back up on full dose, but Asacol did nothing to help and started me bleeding. I recommend trying Boswellia in high doses for at least six weeks for improvement and probiotics, I think they help me more anything.	M	39	3 months		5/7/2009
1	Ulcerative Colitis	Pancreatitis, severe kidney infection, and EXTREME hair loss within 10 days of taking drug. Discontinued use.		F	23	10 days		4/20/2009
5	UC	runny nose, headache, slight hair loss	I've suffered from UC for over 20 years, but was diagnosed just 3 months ago. Bowel movements have decreased from 10-12 times daily to just 3 or 4. It's marvelous to have some freedom again.	F	68	3 months		4/16/2009
5	Ulcerative Colitis	NOne	I have not had a flare up in years!	F	52	3 days		4/16/2009
1	colitis	severe shortness of breath, interstitial pnumonia diagnosis. Death occured from this drug use	dont use it.	F	61			4/14/2009 Email
4	UC (in remission) and proctitis	Loss of bowel control (unable to "hold it" when I had to go). Nausea, burping	I was diagnosed with proctitis and UC (in remission) via colonoscopy after having bleeding with bowel movements. I started on Canasa nightly and that did not help. Then they added Asacol 400 mg x3 day and I am completely better. I was taken off Canasa and will go back in June to hopefully be weaned off the Asacol. The first week on Asacol was horrible. I lost control of my bowels (luckily at home) and was so sick all week. But I am fine taking the med on a daily basis.	F	45	3 months		4/9/2009
1	Mild Crohn's	Headache, dry burning red eyes, insomnia, fatigue, loud ringing in ears, severe bleeding to the point of anemia, dizziness, at every bowel movement.	I restarted this two weeks ago to see if there was any benefit prior to colonoscopy in three weeks. For the past four days, I have experienced heavy bleeding at every bowel movement. The initial gush of blood is followed by steady streaming blood throughout bowel movement. Stopped the med after two weeks. One doctor wanted to admit me for observation due to severe anemia due to blood loss. Prior to taking this med I never experienced any of these symptoms, especially the rather frightening severe blood loss I am convinced this drug caused.	F	58	14 days		3/27/2009 Email
4	Ulcerative Colitis	None.	I was diagnosed with UC in 2007 and was treated with Asacol 800mg, 6 pills per day. It took me 4 months to get into remission. I now take 4 pills per day. I have not had any flare-ups in almost 2 years. I believe my diet has contributed to my success. I stay away from sugars, wheat and dairy. I take 1 tbsp of Cod Liver Oil per day, (a super strong anti-inflammatory high in Vitamin D and A) and I take probiotics (acidophilus) every other day. I eat barley/quinoa/spelt instead of wheat, which works well because I enjoy eating grains. I highly recommend this diet to all UC sufferers. Will be talking to my GI this week about lowering my dose to two pills per day.	F	25	2 years		3/22/2009
1	Ulcerative Colitis Proctitus	Day 1 Nausea, Days 2-5 very fatigued, low grade fever, sleeplessness, dizziness, body aches, headache, developed a bad sinus infection, and sore throat with Flu like symptoms. I stopped taking Asacol day six and that is when the night sweats started. It is day nine and I hope things start to improve. I will be trying an improved diet, probiotics, eliminating wheat and glutin.	My GI doctor never recommended having my kidneys tested prior to starting this drug. When I went to Asacol's website they recommend having this done prior to starting this med. Take charge of your health and get very involved in the entire process. Autoimmune disease's are prevalent in western society, but modern western science does not seem to want to acknowledge what is causing all of us to get so sick.	M	39	5 days		3/21/2009
3	UC	extreme hair loss, frequent urination at night, fatigue, mild headaches, lower back pain at times	was using it with prednisone and canasa for about 3 months. now just with canasa for an additional 2. does anyone know how to deal with the hair loss?	F	14			3/17/2009 Email
2	mild crohns	Headache, at times severe, dizziness, mild acne, mild hair loss, severe pain in both kidneys.	I was shocked to find out from a colonoscopy that I have mild crohn's disease that effects most of the right colon and part of the ileum, because I have never had ANY of the symptoms. The colonoscopy was scheduled to be routine and determine the extent of a cecal volvulus i have. When I was found to have inflammation and mild dysplasia in the right colon, I was at first given colazal (9 capsules per day) and after 2 weeks, I was awakened with severe pain in both kidneys, accompanied by a horrible migraine and fever. I was told to stop the med. I then was given asacol, which at first seemed more tolerable than the colazal with milder headaches, but seemed to be causing acne. When, after 3 weeks of taking the recommended dose, I once again experienced severe pain in both kidneys, I have since stopped the med and am searching for another possibility to lessen the colon inflammation. I am having a cscopy every 6 months because of the inflammation and the dysplasia found (next stpe af	F	58	3 weeks		3/15/2009 Email
2	UC	I'M VERY TIRED -SOME CRAMPING WHEN I HAVE TO USE THE BATHROOM.	I TASTE SOME STRANGE METAL IN MY MOUTH - please feel free to e-mail me re: this drug - Thank you Toni	F	48	7 days		3/10/2009 Email
5	Ulceritive Colitis	I normally get headaches and dizziness from allergies, so it is tough to know if any of this is caused by asacol too. But really, no other noteworthy side effects	I was absolutely crippled at times by stomach pain, bleeding, bloating/cramps, diarrhea, aversion to foods, etc. Doctors always said I had IBS (which while that seems good because it is less serious than the other options, there is no way to effectively treat it. At least for me. Believe me, I tried everything). After 3 colonoscopies, I was finally diagnosed with UC. INSTANT relief on this medicine. It makes a world of difference. Asked my doctor if there are any long term side effects and he said that it is a rather mild drug because it is not absorbed into the tissue, that it basically goes in, does its job, and comes out with the waste.	F	30	1 years		2/27/2009
4	colitis	some itching of skin sometimes i dont take the recommended dosage but then I have a flare up recently some neck and head pain but may not be related to asacol I take 12 tablets a day		F	68	11 years		2/26/2009
4	for ulcerative colitis	wake up with headache or nausea	was on asacol for 6 weeks with no side effects. so my dr. took me off. then my colitis came back and was put on the asacol again . Side effects bad headaches and nausea!	F	48	7 days		2/26/2009
1	crohns	Terrible hair loss,itchy red scalp	I would like to know how to stop the hair loss. I quit taking asacol a month ago and my hair is still falling out. I don't have much left.	F	69	2 months		2/14/2009 Email
4	UC	Fatigue. Have had no real other side effects from Asacol and ten years is a long time on one medication.	Started taking Asacol ten years ago when first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I initially only had proctitis. Very controlled for years. Now, year ten, have pan colitis and needed to start Imuran with the Asacol. It contnues to work, with fatigue being the major side effect, although that is also a symptom of advancing disease, so could be both. Tried Lialda.....did not work for me at max dose and I was EXHAUSTED! So am back to Asacol. Why that works and Lialda did not is a mystery to me as they are both Mesalamine.......but have heard that from many pts.	F	44	10 years		2/9/2009
5	Chrons and UC	No real side effects. However, as I read people are saying jt. pain, cramping/diaherria is all part of the diease. It's not the meds doing this to you it the diease it self. Tell you Dr. and maybe you need to add more meds to your daily regimn. I have taken 9 pills dailyof Asacol, predisone up to 60mg a day, flagyl, Imuran, and Remicade treatments. Once I got my diease under control I stopped taking all meds because I hated taking so many in one day. When a flair up comes I go back on Asacol and have taken it for as long as a year and 1/2 and off and on for the last 7 years. Imuran is what made me more sick then helped. It has realy bad side effects, but everybody is different.		M	31	7 years		2/8/2009
2	possible mild colitis	The first month, I had diarhea, nausea, and hair loss. Second month, more severe hair loss,runny stools, and bloating, and gas all the time, even though taking omeprazole. The third month, I have the most severe hair loss, and at this rate, I am really confused. I thought it was stress related from hospital stay Nov. 1st, 2008. I haven't been under stress since then, and now I am becoming convinced it is asacol. Everything else, I was taking, and no side effects. It is not the thyroid either, or lack of iron, etc. My hair falls out at the root, and so I have long strands in food, and every where I go. I got my hair cut short, use lots of conditioner, and cool water. It comes out in handfuls. I still have stomach ache, bloating, gas, but I try to drink lots of water and take only small amounts of food. What can happen if I don't take it? My doctor has said something about being on it a long time. I wish that I could feel positive about taking myself off of it.	Maybe the dose is too strong. 6 tablets a day? maybe just one in the morning is all I need. How about it?	F	61	3 days		1/20/2009 Email
3	UC	Dry eyes, wake often in the night - can't sleep; lightheadedness, headache and irregular heartbeat.	Beginning to wonder if this is the best treatment for me.	F	59	30 days		1/9/2009
4	UC	lower back pain, memory loss, joint pain in knees and hips, frequent urination, painful urination, hair loss, and insomnia	I have been on asacol for six months and I started having side effects in September. Since Septemeber I have had 2 urinary tract infections and am currently in so much pain that I had to go to the emergency room where I was given morphine. My primary doctor referred me to a urologist who said they thought i had kidney stones, but my symptoms have been going on too long and are gaining severity which is not typical or heard of. I am frustrated and tired of being sick and not knowing why I feel so much worse than before i was placed on medication. Yes, Asacol has helped my UC symptoms, but the issues that are replacing my UC symptoms are just as painful if not more so. I don't know what to do ad my doctors are giving me the run around.	F	18	6 months		1/7/2009
1	UNKNOWN! (pending more tests)	headache, dizziness, confusion, EXTREME HIP PAIN, BACK & JOINT PAIN! UGH!	I've been EXTREMELY hurting to the point I almost can't walk. DID YOU KNOW ARTHRITIS IS A RARE, BUT SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT. I'M SO PISSED! I better not be stuck with this! The doc only stuck me on this stuff because of "possible" crohn's disease...not that I've been actually diagnosed with anything! All I had was a small obstruction. I haven't even had a BM in 3 days. Obviously the wrong call on my docs part...well, so far. I have more tests tomorrow.	F	28	9 days		1/6/2009
5	for ulcerative colitis	I have had no side effects at all and have been taking the medicine for 9 months now. After exeperiencing bowel problems for 8 years and taking many different meds and being hospitalized and have colonoscopies, this medicine worked wonderfully.	For the first 5 months I took 3 pills, 3 times a day (400 mg pills). Then switched to 2 pills, 3 times a day. Some days I do not go at all - a big difference from the 13 times a day I was going before starting the medicine. I thought sharing my experience might be helpful since I have been on it a long time (9 months) and it still works	F	35	9 months		1/4/2009 Email
4	UC	Runny nose, joint aches,a few headaches, some minor chest pain, and acid reflux.	Ive only been taking it for about a week but Ive noticed the positive impact almost immediately. After being in and out of the hospital for bleeding, severe cramps and puss in my stool, this is excellent for me. Ill continue to update everyone to see if this progress stays positive.	F	26	6 days		12/23/2008 Email
1	colitis	fatigue, diareah, fever, loss of apetite, confusion, shortness of breath that became congestive heart failure.	After taking the medication for 6 weeks I was advised to stop taking it, ended up in ER and was admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure. No previous heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or other illness.	F	73	6 weeks		12/22/2008 Email
1	Ulcerative colitis	Severe neck pain, mid-back pain, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, bad taste in mouth, sweating, insomnia, cough, stuffy nose	This medication initially helped with the diarrhea/cramping of my colitis (diagnosed mid-November), but after I started suffering a 'different' kind of stomach pain (up high, under sternum)+ feeling of fullness, my GE upped my daily dose from 2400mg to 3200mg. That's when the real fun began. I could barely move my neck, I couldn't sleep, I felt exhausted and achy and feverish. This went on for over two weeks before I finally made the connection! I stopped the drug (on my own) and felt 80% better within 24 hours; back to normal within 48. I have had no recurrence of UC symptoms in the week I've been off the drug so far (actually the opposite -- constipation and hemorrhoids/pain).	F	50	45 days		12/11/2008
2	Possible Crohn's/UC	Bloating, gas, itchy skin, red eyes, extremely tired, and pain in my right side.	I had no pain at all prior to starting the pills. However I had a colonoscopy 8 weeks ago which found the cause of my bleeding which was ulcers in my colon. I had been bleeding with stool for about 5 weeks which is what prompted me to get checked. There were a couple of areas where there were colitis or swelling. My doctor believe's that it's Crohn's. I took the enema treatments at that time and all of my symptoms went away... temporarily. I went for my follow up appointment with the GI doctor last Thursdayand I was free of symptoms. By saturday, I was down, again, sleeping all weekend, and bleeding again. I also found out that I'm 6 weeks pregnant. The risk of having the colitis while being pregnant are worse than taking medication according to my doctor. Well, I'm not sure about that since now I have pain in my side, and I feel worse. The bleeding has stopped but I don't feel well. Has anyone else been treated with Asacol while pregnant?	F	33	3 days		12/10/2008
3	Ulcerative Colitis	Wake up after only a couple hours of sleep. Thought it was the prednisone but after seeing a couple of comments here....	It has controlled my UC quite well. Just recently have developed a pretty severe rash, itchy skin. Not sure if it is Asacol or the prednisone. I plan on renewing my old drug Sulfsalazine 500mg x4 per day; just to see what happens. BTW anyone ever suffer from from a wierd heartbeat while on Prednisone or Asacol??	M	45	2.5 months		12/3/2008
2	Chrons Colitis	Started with headaches but those went away after a week or two, insomnia and when i could sleep id wake up in 2-3 hours sweating, ear ache, fatigue, loss of apetite,flu/cold like symptoms,irritability, dizziness	ear ache may not have been side effect but im listing it as it came after I started taking Asacol, I think I'd rather keep the dihorea	M	15	1 months		11/30/2008
2	Collagenous Colitis	After eight days I started getting headaches, by day nine headaches intensified, and diarrhoea returned with frequency. Day ten onset of dry fever, flu-like symptoms, aches and pains in joints and muscles and fatigue. Day eleven, stopped taking medication, fever changes to night sweats, small tender red spots develop over back, flu-like symptoms continue, by day fourteen symptoms subsiding, still very tired but headache gone. No flu or cold to go with the fever! Contact Doctor on day fifteen and have immediate bloods taken. His comment was that Asacol can play havoc with the bone marrow...didn't say that on the tin!	My dosage was 2 x 400mg three times a day. I am not sure if any improvement was attributable to the drug, or that I was between flare-ups. I was wary of taking this drug as I am already allergic to Aspirin, so I was surprised that the reaction took so long to occur. The Doctor was confident that this method of administration modified release would probably mean the usual reaction would not occur and it didn't. The symptoms when they did occur were characterised by a fairly rapid onset and very intense, feeling completely floored is not an exageration, for three days I spent much of the time asleep. I am only just recovering and hope for an optomistic result from the bloods, but who knows....good luck to the rest of you. SW in the UK.	M	52	11 days		11/29/2008
3	UC	Originally had very serious UC, undiagnosed for 3 months. Then, after diagnosis, I went on 60mg of prednizone and 2400 mg of asacol. My fevers at night stopped, but still had GI issues. When I would down-dose the Prednizone I would start having a relapse. My doctor worked great with me to wean me off of the Prednizone. But GI was not normal. Continued on Asacol as a maintenence drug.	When I would down-dose the Asacol, I would notice that my GI tract feels much better. I have had days where I missed the Asacol entirely and on those days I was 100% back to normal. I am going to speak with my doctor about ending the Asacol.	M	38	2 years		11/25/2008
2	UC/Crohn's	Dry eyes, runny nose, headache, joint pain	I think I might try the new worm treatment. Pig whipworm. After reading through all of the side effects people have gotten from this it's scaring me a little. I'm taking a higher dose than most people, too. 6 pills 2x a day. I've only been on it for about 4 days but some of the side effects started almost immediately (runny nose, joint pain, headache). I have an insatiable tooth ache, also.	F	28	4 days		11/23/2008
1	Ulcerative Colitis	Joint pain, worsening of original symptoms, severe upper abdominal pains, itchy skin, acne, high temperature.	I was initially taking 400mg x 3 twice a day and prednisolone and was fine until pred stopped. A week later joint pain started, followed by bleeding etc a couple of weeks later. Consultant raised this to Asacol 800mg x 2 twice a day and also Asacol enemas. Symptoms worse than ever now, joints ache, have severe upper abdominal pain at times, skin itchy all over, high temperature, can't sleep. I feel to be honest like I am slowly dying but the consultant doesn't believe this is the Asacol and wants me to persevere.	F	36	5 months		11/17/2008
1	UC	1 week before Asacol, WBC of 4.9- 1week later, WBC of 19.8- 1 month later, WBC of 47.9. Slight fever. Night sweats. Extreme tiredness. Exacerbation of UC symptoms: pain, diarrhea, blood in stool.	I wish I had read more about Asacol before I took it. People my age (65) have to be very careful about taking it, because it can make your bone marrow go crazy. Currently being evaluated for leukemia. Doctors don't quite know what to think, because the white count looks like leukemia, but other cell don't exactly match. If you are considering Asacol, run for your life! Try other things first. Consider natural.	M	65	8 weeks		11/6/2008
4	Ulcerative Colitis	Extreme Hair Loss, fatigue and joint pain	I feel a lot better with the exception of the side effects. Especially the hair loss! I do exercise daily but did before. I watch my diet moderately. I've been diagnosed since Feb.2006. I stopped taking the drug about 6 months after the first flare and did not have another for over 2 years. Not sure if I will do that again though as the flare this July was much worse. Hope to find hair loss relief!!	F	38	3 months		11/5/2008
1	UC	I don't trust Big Phaarma drugs. To be safe, I took only 1 tablet the day I bought them, and within 20 minutes, my whole body went haywire. Just ONE ASACOL TABLET gave me an extreme allergic reaction that kept me ill for days!! I told my G.I. doctor I was allergic to sulfa drugs, and he promised me that Asacol was safe. Bullsh-t! THIS IS A POISON, PEOPLE, not a drug.	I took the single Asacol tablet, and w/in 20 mins I had a migraine headache, itchy throat, runny nose, blurry vision, then I started coughing and sneezing non-stop. From JUST ONE TABLET! The next day, I woke up with a blotchy rash all over my arms, legs and torso, AND I had flu-like symptoms. From JUST ONE TABLET! The following (3rd) day, I had acne breaking out on my face and boobs, a bigger rash, gas, and breathing problems. From JUST ONE TABLET! And my doctor wants me to take 3 tabs 3X a day? SCREW YOU, Big Pharma, and your mind controlled robot doctors! One of you owes me a $300.00 refund for this crap!	F	47	1 days		11/5/2008 Email
2	Non-specific inflammation	SEVERE burning with bowel movements. I'm taking 3 pills a day and this started the 2nd day. I don't take any other medication, so I know this is what's causing it. I dread going to the bathroom because the burning is so severe. My doctor told me it could take at least 3 months to have relief from my pain, but the "cure" is far worse than the condition. The asacol was expensive enough I hate to not take it, but I have a call in to my doctor to see if I can at least reduce the number of times I take it. I can't tolerate it!		F	65	6 days		11/4/2008
5	colitis	whole body tremble when i had a flare up and had to increase my dose from 4 to 6 tablets a day.	I've had colitis, in particular proctitis ( inflammation of the lower part of the colon) for over 20 years. The flare ups have progressively been getting worse in intensity and frequency.I have been taking Asacol and then later prednisolone first as an enema then orally as my symptoms got worse. However 3 years ago i started taking 1000iu vitamin D supplements. Since then ALL symptoms have disappeared. I open my bowels once a day and have no pain or discomfort. I now take 2 asacol tablets twice a day in addition to the vitamin D.	M	44	20 years		11/2/2008
3	uc	hair loss,dry eyes ,sleep loss,dry skin rash on face and body joints sore	I have all these side effects which is a worry because I dont take this medicine as prescribed after reading the side effects it can produce ,I do take them when i get a flare up and it does tend to relieve my symtoms.I now take probiotic milk every morning and feel that helps.I have recently read with interest that a condition called coeliac gives the same symptoms as UC and is caused by glutin in our food,great results when avoiding gluten ie dairy products ect check it out and ask your GP to test for this condition by a simple blood test.I have an appointment next week with my GP to discuss this.	F	47	6 months		11/2/2008
4	UC	Increase in intestinal gas, bloating	I was taking Sulfasalazine for a while then a low dosage of Asacol, I think 2 400mg pills twice daily. After a while neither seemed to work. However, raising my Asacol dosage to 4pills three times a day and taking 1 6-MP (Mercaptopurine) daily seemed to work wonders. I haven't had any flare-ups unless I have a few drinks or eat too much spicy food. Moderation is the key.	M	32	4 months		10/30/2008 Email
5	UC	None.	I'm taking 12 pills per day (3, 4x a day). Asacol made all the difference in the world to me. In the two years after I was first diagnosed, I've had only one flare up (which required the use of mercaptapurine in addition to asacol). I'm back to my pre-diagnosis weight. I bike 50-75 miles per week and play tennis one night per week.	M	56	2.5 years		10/28/2008
5	diagnosed with UC in Oct 08	none	I was dignosed with a mild case of UC in October of 08. I started with 9 pills (3pills/3X day)and gradually symptoms went away. After about 6 months of no flare ups. My doc slowly weaned me gradually to my current 4 pills per/day. I've been trying to wean off alltogether because drug is not recommended if you are pregnant and we're trying to have baby. Everytime I drop below 4 pills I start getting flare ups literally within 1-2 weeks. That's my only concern. I have no problem staying on Asacol because I've had no side effects, just pregnancy issue. And I agree with some of the other posts- many side effects described are actually symptoms of the disease. Joint pain is one of my major symptoms. But it is because of your immune systems inflamation response. For any immune related disease eating properly, excersising and taking a heavy vitamin regiment including probiotics helps tremendously.	F	38	10 months		10/25/2008
3	Crohns	Hair loss, weight gain, tired all the time, urinatie more than before asacol. Vaginal health different	Been on asacol about 10 months 4 pills 2x a day. Am hoping at my next dr visit we can lessen the dossage. The hair loss seemed to subside after 4 months and is no longer falling out. Have gained nearly 20 pound but have not changed my eating or exercising habits. Am frustated about frequent urination. And I don't know how to describe it but my vagina is just off.	F	35	10 months		10/22/2008
3	UC	passing of medication/tablets in bowel movements, night sweats, stomach ache		F	44	90 days		10/14/2008
2	ulcerative colitis	No significant side effects,it just didn't seem to help at all. If I thought it was helping I could have accepted the high cost of Asacol.	My research revealed that ulcerative colitis was/is a disease of non-smokers and ex-smokers. I am an ex-smoker for 9 years. Since I started smoking again, my condition has improved significantly. My research suggests its the nicotine that is helping.My doctor is amazed but distressed that I am smoking again.He has suggested I try the Asacol again to see if the colitis goes into full remission. I wonder why the doctors don't suggest nicotine patches?	M	57	0 days		10/8/2008
3	UC	Fatigue, extreme hair loss, itchy scalp, dry eyes, cramps, acne	I have been taking Asacol for about 3 months. It has helped somewhat but I still have bouts with severe cramping and diarrhea and have to really watch what I eat. Does anyone know what to do about the hair loss???? I am considering stopping the Asacol so my hair will quit falling out.	F	42	3 months		10/1/2008 Email
3	Colitis (Type undiagnosed)	Bloating, frequent urination (day and night), mild abdominal discomfort or pain, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, possible hair loss.	My GI prescribed Asacol for me, and it's been working fairly well. Since my form of colitis hasn't been able to be determined (all tests come back fine the pain is there). I used to get severe cramps and spend hours in the bathroom (usually at night) at least once a day, but with a mix of time and the Asacol it has gotten better. The flare-ups are less harsh and less frequent (but I've also only been on it a little while). Possible hair loss, but I've always "shed" a lot (extremely thick hair) so I can't tell the difference. Frequent urination is annoying, but much better than dealing with the colitis pain. Many other possible side-effects, but I'm on too many medications to really tell. Email if you have questions.	F	20	2 weeks		9/21/2008 Email
4	UC	More muscle cramps. Very painful. Sleeplessness, but may also be due to muscle cramps. Cramps everywhere. Legs, back arms hands. Wish I knew if it was the asocal. It is the only medication I am on daily. I do have arthritis and have had both hips replaced. UC was terrible, but I now have trouble only about every two weeks. I thought it was a miracle drug, but NOT if it is causing my cramps.		F	65	1 years		9/15/2008 Email
4	UC	Minor headaches and acne but mostly concerned about hair loss!! It's freaking me out!!	Asacol has been a tremendous help to me!! I was originally diagnosed with IBS after first colonoscopy 10 years ago. From there no drugs worked and I had to manage through diet while symptoms came and went. HORRIBLE! I was properly diagnosed on July 11th after my 2nd colonoscopy and I have been on Asacol ever since (3 pills 3x's/day). The drug was immediately effective and my quality of life is 100% better now but I'm worried about the hair loss.	F	44	2 months		9/11/2008
4	stress related colitis	Dizziness, dull pain in lower left side of abdomen.	Seem like its been working. Flare ups reduced. stopped taking it for a couple of days and flare up began again. Taking in combo with methscopolamine 5mg but that is causing really bad dry mouth, lost my voice, and dry eyes. Diet has a lot to do with it. If i stick with natural, unprocessed foods, no sugar or artificial sweetners i feel a lot better. Also try gluten free diet.	F	29	7 days		9/10/2008
1	Crohn's Disease	Hair loss, acne, dry skin, permanent dry, red eyes; jaundice, fatigue, violent vomiting, and my disease actually got worse while using Asacol.	I've tried pretty much all of the Crohn's/UC drugs. You name it, I've tried it. The only that thing that ever really worked was the SCD diet (google it) in combination with probiotics. It takes a lot of discipline to follow this diet, but it's worth it.	M	32	1 years		9/7/2008
3	IBS	Major hair loss in the last three months. Could not figure why I was loosing hair so fast - until I checked out side effects of medication i was taking and that’s when I read about Asacol. Very surprising facts. Moreover, since of late I have been getting large acne like lumps on my face and neck - never got them before. Problem is as soon as I stop the medication I have blood in my stool. I think I shall stop the medication and see if my hair grows back.	How do I reverse the hair loss issue? Any comments? Also, suffering from depression for the last two months. Never experience this before.	M	42	6 months		9/6/2008 Email
4	UC	For sure a lot of bloating , and some hair loss,, there are occasions where I feel dizzy but rarely.	I have been in Asacol for over a year and half. Out of 6 Pills twice a day,, now I am with only 4 daily. The doctor told me I can eat everything I want,,, unfortunately that doesn’t apply to me, I discover that a healthy diet, regular exercise , some vitamins and with the minimum amount of Asacol, can make BIG difference, When I mean diet I am not saying a strict Diet,, but as healthy as you can eat. No spicy foods for sure, No alcohol or any food that can irritate your stomach. I have been exercising and eating as healthy as can and I have been very stable in the last year and half with only 4 pills a day. " but again don't forget your exercise and as healty as you can eat. "	M	36	2 years		9/5/2008
1	UC	hair loss, red eye, severe insomnia, acne, severe vomiting with blood, pain in stomach, increased blood in stool, painful headaches most of the day	Asacol just made things worse.	M	39	8 months		9/1/2008
3	Crohns	At first I was so much better. I was taking 3 tablets 3 times a day and now I have decreased to 3 tablets twice daily. I also take Erythorcin 500 mg twice daily. I still have alot of episodes depending on what I eat or so I thought. There are days when I go to the bathroom 10-15 times. My main concern lately is fatigue and weight gain. I have not considered that this could be from the medication until recently. Now after reading this I see that I am not the only one with these complaints. I have been on the asacol this time for 4 months and previously 2 years. I have been trying to stay off Prednisone because of the weight gain problem. It is time to go in a discuss my concerns.		F	55	4 months		8/27/2008
1	collaginous colitus	Intense heat in my head, neck, upper arms, upper chest and back.Loss of hair.Nausea.Sleeplessness.	When I told my doctor about my symptoms, he said he had never heard of them with Asacol,but after reading this site it seems that there are many people with severe side effects.	F	63	30 days		8/27/2008
1	colitis	hair loss, acne, red eyes	it didn't work.					8/24/2008
4	Ulcerative Colitis	Not sure anything I feel is contributed to Asacol. I often have a dull stomach ache, but that may be the colitis. My joints and bones feel somewhat "fragile". I can get some killer cramps when I stretch, but other than that I feel great.	Asacol has definitely helped! I was just diagnosed with UC little over a month ago and the dr. immediately put me on 800mg 3x a day! Hard to remember to take it. I often forget the afternoon dose. The diarrhea and blood is all gone. My stools seem different than before my episode, but at least they're better. I haven't had any gas or bad sideffects from this medicine at all. Unfortunately my insurance won't pay for Asacol (only generic) and I'll have to try another med soon that I can afford.	F	41	1 months		8/22/2008
1	Crohn's colitis	red eyes, dry eyes, eye pain, eyes sensitive to light, hair loss, acne, migraines, rash on face, nausea, yellow skin		F		1 months		8/22/2008
3	UC	Constant headache, slight acne, some hair loss, anxiety attacks, letharthy, constipation, and highly acidic urine (it burned my own skin)	I hated this drug from day one and argued against it with my doctor though he promoted it as the miracle drug for UC and tried to tell me that my side effects were all in my head. Some of my symptoms were relieved but other were not. After a year of feeling miserable on the ASACOL, I started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (while still on the meds) eliminating all processed sugars and artificial sweetners and grains. Within weeks I felt better and food never tasted so good!!! It takes committment (you have to cook) and is no quick cure but last week I had my first colonoscopy in almost five years and my gastroenterologist was amazed at how clean and healthy my colon looked. I've been weaning myself off of the meds for months and feeling great. My last two blood work results were astounding. White count perfect, sugar good, cholesterol good. In addition, I recently went through menopause and did not have near the misery that many women do. I think the diet may have helped that as well.	F	44	6 years		8/20/2008
3	UC/Crohns No definitive diagnosis	headaches, dry & itchy scalp & eyes, insomnia, gassy cramping, some confusion/memory loss	Usually my side effects go away after a few weeks on continuous use, my problem is I tend to be bad about compliance, stop taking it for a week or so, then my UC symptoms come back & I go back on the Asacol & get the side effects from it all over again for the first week or two that I'm on it. I had originally taken it for several months & then stopped thinking I could maintain remission on my own. Then I decided I'd rather just deal w/the UC, but I became really anemic & decided to go back on Asacol.	F	30	1 years		8/15/2008
1	CROHN'S DISEASE	MADE MY CROHN'S WORSE, MORE BLOOD, NAUSEA, VOMITING, ACNE, DEPRESSION, THINNING OF HAIR, CRIED EVERY TIME I TOOK A SHOWER BECAUSE I WAS LOSING SO MUCH HAIR, PROFUSE SWEATING, INSOMNIA, RED EYES, PAINFUL DRY EYE, EYES SENSITIVE TO LIGHT, SKIN RASH, YELLOW SKIN, ACHY JOINTS, MIGRAINES	ASACOL, AT BEST, ONLY WORKS ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME. PLACEBOS HAVE ABOUT THE SAME RATE OF EFFECTIVENESS. BUT PLACEBOS WON'T MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR HAIR OR DRY YOUR EYES OUT COMPLETELY OR GIVE YOU ACNE OR DEPRESSION. IN THE REAL WORLD, NOT IN CLINICAL TRAILS CONDUCTED BY DOCTORS BOUGHT BY PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, I BET ASACOL WORKS MAYBE WITH 10% OF PATIENTS. I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO'S REALLY BEEN HELPED BY ASACOL OR ANY OF THE OTHER CD/UC DRUGS. DIET, IN MY EXPERIENCE, IS WHAT MATTERS MOST. STRESS ALSO MATTERS. AND TAKING PROBIOTICS IS ANOTHER GOOD IDEA.	F	26	9 months		8/14/2008

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Average rating for drug: 3.0. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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