How long for mesalazine to work

It is important to know the difference between your dosage for maintaining remission, and your dosage for managing a flare-up. This has given me opportunities for early intervention when I feel like I am about to become unwell. You will probably be advised to take 5-ASAs long-term to keep your condition under control and reduce the risk of flare-ups. If you respond well to 5-ASAs you should be able to keep taking them for some years. Our information sheet Taking Medicines has some helpful guidance about taking drugs for your Crohn's or Colitis long-term.

Some people with Crohn's or Colitis have a slightly increased risk of developing colon cancer, and there is some evidence that using 5-ASAs long-term can decrease this risk.

If you have Colitis your doctor may advise you to continue to take a 5-ASA indefinitely. For more details see our information sheet on Bowel Cancer and Crohn's and Colitis. Before starting treatment with 5-ASAs, you will have a blood test to check your kidney function.

Kidney function should then be monitored regularly during treatment. You will usually have regular blood tests while on 5-ASA treatment to check for any unwanted side effects. You may have a blood test after three months, then annually.

If you are taking sulphasalazine you may need slightly more frequent blood tests. Like all drugs, 5-ASAs can have side effects, although not everyone will get them, and some are quite rare in comparison to other IBD treatments. Some people taking sulphasalazine may need a folic acid supplement. Rarely, 5-ASAs can cause problems with the kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas. Your doctor should talk through the risks and benefits before you start 5-ASAs. Let your doctor or IBD nurse know about any new symptoms you develop, whenever they occur.

I have taken mesalazine for 24 years and have not felt any significant side effects throughout this time. Taking it has just become part of my daily routine. It is safe to have vaccinations whilst on 5-ASAs, though you should check with your doctor beforehand if you are also taking other medicines for your Crohn's or Colitis.

Most other drugs can be taken safely, however always check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Many people will be prescribed other medication in addition to 5-ASAs to treat their Crohn's or Colitis. This is known as combined therapy. Read our information sheet on Taking Medicines to find out more. Alcohol is not known to have any interaction with 5-ASAs, but for general health reasons it is best to keep within the Department of Health guideline limits.

Sulphasalazine can cause male infertility by reducing the sperm count, but this usually resolves within two to three months once the drug is stopped. If you are trying for a baby, you may be switched to a different brand, as other 5-ASAs do not affect fertility. See our information sheet Reproductive Health w ith Crohn's and Colitis. Studies have found no increased risks of birth defects, low birth weight or similar complications in the babies of people taking 5-ASAs. While 5-ASAs can be taken if you are breastfeeding, small amounts do pass into breast milk.

Infants of breastfeeding mothers using 5-ASA can in very rare cases develop diarrhoea due to allergic reactions, so should be carefully monitored. This resolves itself once the drug is stopped or the baby starts bottle feeding.

If you are taking sulphasalazine while pregnant, you should also take a folic acid supplement daily, as the medicine causes folate deficiency. Keep from freezing. Store the delayed-release capsules and delayed-release tablets in a tightly-closed container to protect them from moisture. It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Check with your doctor right away if you have lower back or side pain, decreased frequency or amount of urine, bloody urine, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, weight gain, or trouble breathing. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, cramps, fever, headache, or a rash while you are using this medicine.

These may be symptoms of a condition called mesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndrome. Call your doctor right away if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, a fast heartbeat, itching, rash, or skin redness, or swelling of the face, throat, or tongue.

These may be symptoms of an allergic reaction to this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.

These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. This medicine may make you more sensitive to light and cause serious unwanted skin reaction. This is more likely if you have an existing skin problem eg, atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema.

Check with your doctor right away if you have increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, severe sunburn, or skin rash.

Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Using these medicines together may change the amount of medicine that is released in the body. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using mesalamine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.

This includes prescription or nonprescription over-the-counter [OTC] medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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