Asacol medicine not working

[Kepakepa73]

Hi . Has anyone ever been on asacol and had the medicine stop working. I'm on the maximum dose of asacol now (12 pills a day) and my Crohn's have flared up again and won't go away this time :-(. Has anyone ever had this problem? If so, what medicine did you switch too? Thank you.

 

[Jennifer]

I've been on Asacol, 6MP, and Prednisone at the same time. I've never taken just one medication during a flare. You might do better on it with a combination of meds.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Kepakepa73]

Thank you very much for the advice I will call my doctor tomorrow and inquire about more meds.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

My understanding is that Asacol is more of a maintenance drug and all these meds for crohn's are trial and error so there is no guarantee they will "cure" you permanently.

I have been told I have moderate to severe crohn's and I also take Asacol but when there is inflammation (a flare) I am temporarily placed on prednisone to help get the flare under control. I am getting a test for TB this week to prep me for Humira or Remicade in the event the prednisone doesn't reduce inflammation long enough next time around.

You should talk to your doctor about your symptoms and medication to make sure you are receiving the most appropriate treatment for your flare.

 

[Jennifer]

there is no guarantee they will "cure" you permanently.

There is no cure for Crohn's currently. So far one can only go into remission.

 

[Kepakepa73]

Thank you for advice.

 

[karj]

My doctor told me that Asacol is more for just the colon whereas pentasa is for small bowel and big bowel. but both really are only a maintenance drug. i started flaring while just taking pentasa. have started remicade now to get under control. like the others said it probably means you need to take an extra med..

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Yep, the Asacol doesn't release itself from the coated pill casing until it reaches the terminal ileum and the colon for topical anti-inflammatory action.

My crohn's is all in my colon.

 

[ndw0317]

I have servere Ulcerative Colitis throughout my entire colon; I was on the max dosage of Asacol and it didn't work for me from the start. They had to put me on Prednisone in addition. A nasty flare came on quickly, and they took me off the Asacol and started me on Remicade. I have completed the induction period of 3 infusions and have to say...this is my miracle drug so far!! Great success in slowing my symptoms down, and only a little cramping when I go. Nothing like when I was on Asacol. I am now tapering off the Prednisone and able to live a somewhat normal life again.

Talk to your GI and let them know it's not working for you. ASAP. Please do not live in pain.

Hoping you feel better soon