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

It has worked wonders for my fiancé. Once his doctor took him off because it was in remission, it came back.

I was diagnosed in march of 2007 at the age of 25, started taking 2 pills 4x day, and that worked great so dr reduced to 2 pills 3x day but feel like maybe I need to go back to 4 xday. I feel so much better since starting medication.

I used to take Asacol and it never worked, I Dr. wanted to put me on predisone...I said no way and found a new Dr...who put me on Lialda. I was in remission 2 weeks later. I have only had a few flair ups but it's because I was eating and drinking things I shouldn't have. I love this medication and the Dr. who told me that the amount of Asacol I was on was never going to be affective for me.

I have been taking 2 pills 3X a day 500mg, having alot of the side effective but still willing to keep taking the meds

Pentasa has really helped me, at first the initial side effects made the conditions worse, but within a week and a half they were gone. I feel normal again taking these. The only thing is my dr has me taking 3 pills 3 times a day, so it's a lot to take. Thank goodness for insurance too, w/o it's around $500

Have been using for approx 3 years and it has all but solved any symptoms. Have not noticed any significant side effects. It is expensive, thankfully I have a decent health plan but even then the deductible still costs me $50 every 3 months. The dosage has become routine for me but I miss the odd dose and it has not caused any problems.

The only thing I am uncertain about, is that soon after starting this med, I felt great, however have been battling fatigue daily. Also does not help with my chronic lower back pain from my UC like other meds did.

I was diagnosed in 1997 and had two flare ups since. After my last one (3 years ago) my doctor put me on the maintenance plan. I take 2 pills in the morning and two at night. No symtoms at all. I hope it keeps up.

I started taking Pentasa for Crohn's and I started to feel better in about 2 weeks, then on the 3rd week I started having heart palpataions and racing. I could barely breath when walking. No one could figure out what was wrong with me and I felt like I was having a heart attack all day. I finally stopped taking it and within 3 days the heart symptoms stopped. Just beware because my gastroenterologist didn't want me stopping the meds and if I hadn't I think I could have done some perminent damage... . Read More Read Less

I now have mild UC (I used to be moderate at least I know and feel so), Lialda has been effective specially if I get a flare up which is rare now. I just take extra doses up to 4 for about 2 to 3 days and then I go back to 1 or 2, no side effects. I have been taking this med for quite some times and while it has helped. Perhaps some might not have been effective because they are time released time released I saw some come out whole, thats why maybe they were not as effective. Overall easy ... to use mostly effective and overall satisfied with product can't wait for generic or a cure I know its here we just have to find it Read More Read Less

I just started Asacol 2- 3x day 400mg. I'm on so many other drugs for other problems and since I started this I have been having terrible headaches. I do Take stuff so I don't get migraines so this is a catch 22. I'm going to wait another week and try this perscription because it's barely working as yet,of course i just started but i'll keep going it's better than predizones that was suggested to me at first but i didn't want to gain weight so i'll be his little giiny pig until i'm on the right ... med. on top of the crohns,i also have diverticulitis. So I'm hoping this medicine will help. Read More Read Less

It didn't work for me, made my UC worse. It also gave me extremely dry, red eyes; and my eyes are still red and dry. I'm pretty sure that's permanent. Visine, Cleareyes, etc., none of those work. It looks pretty hideous. It also made me lose my hair, gave me acne, made my skin dry, and made my skin yellow (possible liver damage). From what I've read this drug only works about 50% of the time--basically the same as a placebo. I found a strict diet and probiotics to be far more effective than not ... just asacol but all the other UC/CD drugs I've tried--Imuran, prednisone, etc. As with any drug, if you have a bad doctor, this drug can be very dangerous. There's a reason why only doctors can prescribe it. Read More Read Less

I feal a lot better after starting this drug. but very expensive.

I was put on this 2 months after having a baby. I used to take asacol and loved it. My doctor suggested I take this and my symptoms have gotton worse.I prefer the asacol. Even though it was more pills it was more effective.

developed UC at age 42; severe case; lost 35 lbs. before being diagnosed; spent 1 week in-patient. Taking Asacol now for 20 months and have not had any flare ups

I was hospitalized twice before I finally got a real doctor! I feel cured taking this drug. I think its causing some weight gain though, but the alternative, having surgury to remove my colon ain't pretty!

the dosage 400mg 2xs at 3x a day was to much and I couldn't function,this was to go on for 6 weeks than cut down to 1 pill 3x a day.i cut down in 3 weeks.felt much better.still don,t have much desire to eat...