Asacol 400mg (Mesalazine)

Asacol general information

What is Asacol used for?

Asacol tablets 400mg are used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which are chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract, with alternative periods of relapse and remission. Crohn's disease is an autoimmune (when the immune system attacks self) IBD that causes inflammation at any point of the gastrointestinal system from the mouth to the rectum, usually in the region between the small intestine and the colon. Ulcerative colitis is an IBD that involves inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. Asacol tablets 400mg are used to relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as ulcers and open sores which cause abdominal pain, cramping and rectal bleeding; also to help maintain remission from symptoms in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, preventing flare-ups of the disease.

How does Asacol work?

Asacol tablets 400mg contain mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory that inhibits the production, by the walls of the intestine, of several chemicals that are known to cause inflammation, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Mesalazine in Asacol tablets 400mg is thought to block the action of the enzymes cyclo-oxygenase, which produces prostaglandins, and lipoxygenase, which produces leukotrienes. It also inhibits the migration of inflammatory cells like macrophages into intestine wall and acts as an antioxidant, protecting the walls of the intestine from cell damage. Asacol tablets 400mg are specially coated with a resin that delays release of mesalazine until it reaches the furthest part of the small intestine, so that it can act at the site of inflammation.

What does Asacol contain?

Asacol tablets 400mg contain active ingredient mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). They also contain lactose, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, talc, povidone, methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer, dibutyl phthalate, red and yellow ferric oxide, macrogol.

Treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with Asacol

Asacol tablets 400mg contain mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract, with alternative periods of relapse and remission. Crohn's disease is an autoimmune (when the immune system attacks self) IBD that causes inflammation at any point of the gastrointestinal system from the mouth to the rectum, usually in the region between the small intestine and the colon. Ulcerative colitis is an IBD that involves inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. Mesalazine in Asacol tablets 400mg inhibits the production, by the walls of the intestine of several chemicals that are known to cause inflammation, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes; and also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the walls of the intestine from cell damage. Asacol tablets 400mg are used to relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as ulcers and open sores which cause abdominal pain, cramping and rectal bleeding; also to help maintain remission from symptoms in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, preventing flare-ups of the disease.

What are the side effects of Asacol?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Asacol tablets 400mg include: nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache.

When should Asacol not be used?

You should not use Asacol tablets 400mg if you:

• are allergic to mesalazine or any ingredients in Asacol tablets 400mg
• have any sensitivity to salicylates
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Asacol, including: the laxative lactulose, the immunosuppressant azathioprine, the anticoagulant warfarin, digoxin for heart failure, the anti-cancer drugs mercaptopurine and azathioprine

What medications interact with Asacol?

Several medications interact with Asacol tablets 400mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Asacol or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Asacol: the anti-cancer drug azathioprine
• Drugs that affect Asacol: the laxative lactulose
• Drugs that are affected by Asacol: the immunosuppressant azathioprine, digoxin for heart failure, the anticoagulant warfarin, glucocorticoids, the anti-cancer drugs mercaptopurine

How should Asacol be taken?

You should take your Asacol tablets 400mg with a glass of wate , swallowed whole, with or without food, preferably before a meal. The dose you take depends on your condition, what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations.

How long should you take Asacol?

You should continue take your Asacol tablets 400mg for as long as your doctor recommends.

Missed dose of Asacol

If you miss a dose of Asacol tablets 400mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Asacol be stored?

You should store your Asacol tablets 400mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.