The Asacol dose your doctor recommends will be based on the following:
- the condition being treated
- other medical conditions you have
The recommended dose of Asacol for the treatment of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis is two 400 mg tablets 3 times a day.
The recommended dose for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis is four 400 mg tablets daily in divided doses.
The recommended dose of Asacol HD for the treatment of moderately active ulcerative colitis is two 800 mg tablets to be taken 3 times daily with or without food.
Asacol is a prescription medication use to treat mild to moderate cases of ulcerative colitis. It is also used to maintain remission of ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
If you take too much Asacol, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Before taking Asacol, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic to salicylates or any of the ingredients of Asacol tablets
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems
- have pyloric stenosis (a narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
- Protect tablets from moisture.
- Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Serious side effects have been reported with Asacol. See the “ Drug Precautions” section.
Common side effects of Asacol include the following:
- headache
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- belching
- diarrhea
- sore throat
- worsening of ulcerative colitits
This is not a complete list of Asacol side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Asacol is available in 400 mg delayed release tablets.
Asacol HD is available in 800 mg delayed release tablets.
Active ingredient: mesalamine
Inactive ingredients (Asacol): colloidal silicon dioxide, dibutyl phthalate, edible black ink, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer B, polyethylene glycol, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and talc
Inactive ingredients (Asacol HD): colloidal silicon dioxide, dibutyl phthalate, edible black ink, ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer B, methacrylic acid copolymer A, polyethylene glycol, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and talc
Asacol (generic: mesalamine) is a prescription medication used to treat ulcerative colitis. Asacol belongs to a group of drugs called anti-inflammatory agents. These work by stopping the body from making a certain substance that may cause pain or inflammation.
This medication comes in delayed release tablet form and is usually taken 3 times a day, with or without food. Do not chew, divide or break Asacol tablets. Swallow Asacol tablets whole.
Common side effects of Asacol include headache, nausea, and upset stomach.
Take Asacol exactly as prescribed.
Asacol comes in tablet form and is given 3 times a day.
Do not chew, divide or break Asacol tablets. Swallow Asacol whole with plenty of water.
Do not substitute one Asacol HD tablet with two Asacol 400 mg tablets
If you miss a dose of Asacol, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Asacol at the same time.
Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Asacol, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.
No Asacol drug interactions have been identified. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.
Serious side effects have been reported with Asacol including the following:
- hypersensitivity (severe allergic) reaction. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity, which include the following:
- chest pain
- swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- fainting
- rash
- prolonged gastric emptying in those with pyloric stenosis. This is a narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.
- worsening of the symptoms of colitis. This may include cramping, stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, and occasionally fever, headache, itching, rash, and pinkeye
- a decline in kidney function. Your doctor may want to monitor your kidney functions with certain blood tests as well. Tell your healthcare provider right away right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney dysfunction:
- swelling of face, ankles, hands, or feet
- fatigue
- paleness of skin
- decreased urination
- shortness of breath
- change in blood pressures
- side effects as mentioned in this section or in the “Side Effects” section of this medication page
Do not take Asacol if you are allergic to salicylates or any of the ingredients of Asacol tablets.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories- A,B,C,D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.
Asacol falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Asacol should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Asacol has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Asacol, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.