After how long diarrhea will go away? when taking Pentasa

[gd11_be]

Hi All,

2 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Chroh's after a colonoscophy. I have been taken Pentasa for about 10 days now ( 3 x 1 gr). And I must admit that ever since I take Pentasa I feel more sick then before. I have to go to toilet once a day but I have diarrhea every single day.

When I read about Pentasa, it looks like this is a known side effect, but that it also disappears once the body has adopted. Does anybody on the forum can give some guidance on how long it takes the body to adopt to Pentasa, and that the diarrhea should disappear.

And a second question: should I take Pentasa before my meals or after the meals. It is not clear from the little paper that is delivered with the Pentasa medicin.

Thanks again, cheers from Belgium

 

[nitty]

Hello!

I was advised by my IBD nurse to allow 3-4 weeks for Pentasa to have it's full effect. I was on 4g per day, so there is room for your dose to be increased. After a couple of months it was clear it wasn't completely working and I have now just started on a different 5-ASA to see if that's any better. It depends where your affected areas are. If any is near the rectum then perhaps you will need suppositories or enemas - suppositories are what helped me the most.

Perhaps wait a little longer to see if you get any better, but if you get any worse at all I would contact your doctor or nurse sooner rather than later.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[nitty]

Also, I don't think it matters whether you take them with food or not, but you should have a glass of water with them to help them break down into granules in your stomach.

(My new meds specifically state how to take them, so I think if it doesn't say so, then it doesn't matter if you have food or not)

 

[gd11_be]

Thanks for the feedback. I will try to drink some more water with the Pentasa. Maybe that will help. I also have checkup appointment with doctor on Thursday. Lets see what he answers as well.

Thanks again !

 

[gd11_be]

Some good news .. looks like the diarrhea is going away .. slowly. Lets hope that it stays this way. Hope my body adopts to the Pentasa in a proper way

 

[PVail]

Personally on a differnt ASA but 3 to four weeks before it really kicked in. I take it ten minutes before meals and I do find that its more effective this way, With water of course.

 

[saul]

I`ve just had my Pentasa increased from 2 to 4g daily and the doctor said to take them 30 minutes before food, if that helps.

 

[7amad10]

i always take them after meals, i have read it on it's paper

 

[QuicksWife]

I've been on pentesa for 8 months now. I take 8 pills a day. 4 after breakfast and 4 after lunch. This med seems to work pretty well. I have. Only had a couple of bad tummy aches on it.

2

 

[Polar a]

I've been taking it for a month and after 2 weeks I felt a massive difference on my stomach but I am also on a course of steroids so that's also helping. I do have a swollen gland on my neck which I believe is from the pentasa.