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

I have Crohn's Disease. I have been using Pentasa for over a year. I have not had a flare-up since using it. I have zero side effects. I have even been able to put on weight. Too bad it won't be covered by my insurance anymore.

I tried 2 other drugs for my colitis, but this is the very best. Bowel movements are almost normal, no more running to the bathroom all the time.

Patient swallowed tablet whole at night but found it same color and size next morning in stool.

I have been on Delzicol for about 10 months now, I feel that the Asacolseemed to work better with no flareups... Have been experiencing more lower back pains, and anxiety related issues with tingling and prickly skin. Never experienced this while on Asacol. I realize they are suppose to be the same medication, but never had these symptoms while taking the asacol. Just wondering if anyone else has had similar side effects?

i was having blood in stool/stomach cramping /diaraha loose stool

Been taking for 20 years with no problems...

I started 9 years ago with 8 pills (800mg) and after a year or so went down to 6 and then only 4 at breakfast. That works for me and it's easy to remember. If I travel and forget to take my pills, there are consequences... I start seeing pink mucus and then blood in the stools.

I had been on Asacol for 20 years and had everything under control I switched to delzicol because the drug co. decided not to make the asacol any longer. The delzicol was very hard to swallow, got stuck in my esophogus, and caused severe heartburn.On top of the I broke out in a severe case of the hives. When I realized the asacol tablet was inside the capsule I just removed the capsule and started taking the tablet alone(with the advice of my gastroenterologist). Things seem to be getting ba... ck to normal now. I think it was just a ploy from the pharmaceutical company not to give patients a generic brand. Read More Read Less

This drug has been very effective for me. 48 year old women diagnosed with UC at age 15. Just started lialda after years of taking nothing and suffering. On Lialda I have normal daily bms after being constipated for years. Feel much better and can eat food I was never able to before. The downside: I have gained 10 lbs in my lower abdominal area within a few months. I constantly feel bloated and despite working out I can't seem to flatten my tummy out. My whole adult life I could never gain we... ight and then a few months on Lialda it came on out of nowhere. Some minor joint pain too, but I can live with that. Read More Read Less

I have been through a lot over the years. I have cut out gluten and have ulcerative colitis. I take two lailda pills every morning..(1.2gm) I have taken a list of different kinds of medications. My stomach pains, bleeding when I went to the bathroom, no energy, headaches ect where getting out of control. I have had endoscopies, colonoscopies and I’m only 25. It took a few months on lialda and I wasn’t so sure right away because I had a few really bad days and thought it was just making me wors... e but I stuck with it and now I have less pains, barely get sick after food now and just feel better. I also barely have any blood when I use the bathroom, TMI but it used to be a lot and this was something serious that needed to be controlled. Lialda helped tremendously with that. The only complaint would be I think it’s makes my mouth really dry now and my breathe is starting to bother my boyfriend haha but I will take it to feel better, I just have to make sure I have a lot of mints : ) Also, im not sure if this has anything to do with the pill but I have no sex drive really. You always have to give and take sometimes with medicines and for how much pain I was in its worth everything. No real bad side effects. I would recommend this to everyone in a similar situation. Hopefully, my stomach can heal after a few years and I can get of the pills but for right now they really do help. Also!! Contact your doctor or lialda because it’s really expensive but you can get their coupon card and I only pay 10$ a month!! Read More Read Less

I am experiencing hair loss

The new timing requirements are hard to follow. 2 hrs before a meal and 1 hr after you take the medication. That's 3 hrs of not eating...and thats hard for me to manage.

I have felt terrible since I started taking this, go to my Doc soon to find out what to do.

I have been on Lialda for over a year after being diagnosed with crohns. It went to work right away and unless I eat poorly I have no problems at all. I take 3 pills nightly and if I do get a slight flare I just up it to 4 and im good. Love this pill so far. I do have hair loss, fatigue and aches, but that started before I was ever diagnosed with crohns or on Lialda. I am now also on Plaquenil for possible lupus/RA so that might be the culprit of the other symptoms. YOu know immune diseases go h... and in hand... Read More Read Less

I'm taking this for diverticulitis. I was on a antibiotics every 6 weeks for painful diverticulitis flare ups, which also triggered flare ups in my eczema. My MD put me on Apriso plus a potent probiotic. It's 6 months without a diverticulitis flare up -- and side benefit, no eczema flare ups. So far no hair loss and I'm a very happy patient.

It was hard in the beginning to remember when to take this medicine but once I did it's second nature now.

I've been very fortunate....this has been a miracle drug for me. I had severe colitis and was supposed to be in the hospital but only a few days on this and I was a new person. No side effects at all. Very happy!! I'm hopeful that my Crohn's is going into remission but I was told I will have to take this the rest of my life.

The capsule tends to stick in the throat or or on it's way going to the stomach. The tablets inside the capsule do not disolve and pass right through to the stool. (Rarely had this issue with asacol). The insurance company rates it as a tier 3 drug, making my cost 40% higher. Within 3 weeks of starting this I had the worse flare of my life (UC since 1985). I do not recomment this drug for anything except as a door stop.