User Reviews for Mesalamine (Lialda, Pentasa, and others)

I have had UC for 11 years. I took Asacol for 9 years. Then two years ago my doctor prescribed Lialda. I love it. I feel great.

Asacol has has been somewhat helpful.My symptoms have been reduced,but not gone completely.3x400mg 3 times a day.With my insurance the price is almost 300 dollars,that is a lot to swallow.My doc said the pills that pass through are just a shell.They are solid(I checked one)

Effective but losing my hair! Colozal may be a better alternative.

I'm a very athletic man in my mid-30's when I was struck with inflamatory bowel disease (diarrhea 8-12X/ day) a few months ago. I took lialda for 2 months and it worked great (I was taking 2 pills/ day). One week ago it completely stopped working for me. Now, even though I'm up to 4 pills/ day, it's as if I'm taking nothing. Back to square one. I wish I had some answers. Any ideas? Thanks.

Been using this medication since 2002 when diagnosed with colitius. After a sever flare in September 2005 which was misdiagnosed as "gastrointestinetus". It took 11 months and new doctor, additional medication (melasine enimas nightly)for 3 months in addition to taking me off the prendisone and prescribing imuran twice a day to completely bring the condition under control. During that time I also had 3 colonscopies (Oct. 05, Feb.06, and Aug. 06. Mine is left side UC and as long as I watch what... I eat (no nuts, popcorn,alcohol, seeded fruits) the condition seems to stay in line. I do suggest that if have been seeing your physician, or specialist and they cannot seem to get a handle on your condition and get it under control to go get a second opinion. The doctor I am currently seeing is a professor of gastro-entenology medicine at the main research hospital in my area and even mentored my old doctor through his fellowship. After the second colonoscopy by my old doctor wanted to perform surgery to correct the problem. I found a new doctor. My current doctor has told me I currently have four more options available to me should the current course of treatment start to fail BEFORE even considering surgery. If you feel you are not getting better please seek out another doctor for a second opinion. Read More Read Less

I have been taking 2 tables 3 x a day for two years and have had only a few minor flares. The medicine overall has caused no side effects and has keep the Crohn's undercontrol!

I have only been on Pentasa for 5 days. Can someone tell me how long it takes to work?

I have no side effects to Pentasa, which is a huge plus to me after some of my other attempts with meds. I am 99% of the time pain free and can eat whatever I like. However, my inflammation is no better. Pentasa has at least kept me comfortable but not "fixed" anything. Yes, VERY expensive. But we order it from Canada and save nearly $300 a month on it.

This is my third drug. The first one was OK until I stopped taking prednisone. The second one made me vomit. On this one I am no longer taking prednisone and so far have no side effects. Things are not back to normal but sure are better than they have been.

It has helped me stop bleeding. I just got off of the prednisone on the 24th of June. and I'm still not bleeding.......

I was put on Asacol after being diagnosed with UC. In the bathroom upwards of 10-15 times a day. Dosage was 3-3x day. Didn't work well and after about a year my hair started falling out in clumps and continued to have flares. Am currently on Lialda 4-1x day and am much happier.

This drug gave me pancreatitis. No fun.

LG, 54, diagnosed with Crohn's at age 29, taking sulfasalazine prior to 2003, only got worse, start taking Pentasa after surgery in 2003, have had very few flares up since. Watch what I eat, no beef, no real greasy foods, no spicy foods with meds, able to live a normal life

Rowasa to Canasa to Pentasa to Asacol to Lialda. Lialda was working but experienced allergic reaction w/ severe hives after 1 week use and dosage raised to 3 pills at a time..It was the strangest thing. Now on colazol but liada seemed like it was working plus it was a once a day treatment not 3x a day. Hope it works for you. Have had UC for 25 years w/ 1 colon resection.

It has healed my ulcers from Crohn's disease after being on it 9 mos. Dr says I'll have to be on it the rest of my life! I just had a colonspy and he said I had pseudopolyps in the descending colon caused by medication that I am on, not sure what they are?

i find that this is an expensive drug. it seems to be controlling the symptoms. although i am experiencing tiredness and after two weeks on it have had really loose stools but not diaherra. from my reading i am told that this is a side effect. overall i feel better than i did before starting the medicine.

Diagnosed in 2003 Started out taking 2500 mg (4 capsules) 3 x daily. After 2 years reduced down to 4 capsules 2 x daily. Working well for me. If minor flair-ups occur I go back on 3 x daily.

IT HELP FIRST 2.5 MONTHS, AFTER I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SIDE EFFECTS, LIKE BLOODY DIARREA...

when a flare up occurs I realize just how helpful this med. is did take 4x3times per day now taking 3x3 times per day does create weight gain and with numerous arthritis areas it is very hard to do any exercising I hope to 1 day be able to walk for more than 10 minutes

I hate to sound like a commercial, but Lialda gave me my life back! I have UC and was on the toilet 40-60 times a DAY for months and was pretty much trapped in my house and an outcast at work because I spent more time in the bathroom than at my desk! I know where every bathroom is within a 20-mile radius of where I live. Within days of being prescribed it (along with prednisone to "jump-start" things), the attacks stopped, and I've been in remission ever since. I can even give in to my occas... ional greasy/fatty food cravings and not worry about being on the toilet the next day! I can't recommend Lialda enough! Read More Read Less