Asacol  Information
Asacol (Mesalamine) is most commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. It is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring. It works by affecting a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea. Avoid using Asacol (Mesalamine) if you are allergic to Asacol (Mesalamine) or to aspiral or other salicylates. Notify your doctor if you have any allergies to any other drugs or have any type of kidney or liver disease. Also, make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, or are taking any other medication. Stop using Asacol (Mesalamine) and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Asacol (Mesalamine) can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take with a full glass of water and with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not crush, break, or chew an Asacol (Mesalamine) tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. The extended-release capsule is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines. Breaking the pill may cause the drug to be released too early in the digestive tract. The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating. Call your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool. Store mesalamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Asacol  Directions
You should not take Asacol if you are allergic to Asacol or to salicylates such as aspirin. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease. It is recommended that all people have their kidney function tested prior to starting Asacol tablets and periodically while on Asacol therapy. Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Asacol can be taken with or without food. Do not crush, break, or chew Asacol. Swallow it whole. It is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines. Call your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.

Asacol  Side Effects
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose, in this case skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache, confusion, drowsiness, sweating, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea. The more common and less serious side effects may include: mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas; fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms; constipation; headache or dizziness; tired feeling; or skin rash.

The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.