Can Pentasa cause swollen lymph nodes?

[AlisonR]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and relatively new to Crohn's Disease (officially diagnosed Sept. 2011) and I have a question regarding potential side-effects of some of the medication I am on. I would ask my GI, but he is out of town until August!

I have several swollen lymph nodes on my neck that have been present for about 5 weeks. I went to my GP two weeks ago, she assumed they were simply a sign of infection and gave me antibiotics to treat the infection and told me they should have worked w/in two weeks. It has now been over two weeks and my lymph nodes are still swollen. I have no other signs of infection. I had previously been on Entocort for three months, which I stopped in early May, just after the swollen lymph nodes appeared. I know that a side-effect of the Entocort is lowered immune response and increased infections. However, it has been over a month since I was on the Entocort and still have the swollen lymph nodes. I am now currently taking 4,000mg of Pentasa/day and have been for about two weeks. Does anyone know if this could simply be a side-effect of the Pentasa? Or possibly ongoing side-effects from the Entocort?

Any thoughts, advice, personal experience on this would be so great.

Thanks,
Alison

 

[David]

Hi Alison and welcome

I scoured the internet looking for good sources that say Pentasa or Mesalamine (its active ingredient) can cause swollen lymph nodes. I did find one decent source that says it is very rare.

Re-reading your post, did the lymph nodes start increasing in size at the exact same time as you began taking the Pentasa, shortly before, or shortly after?

Again, welcome

 

[AlisonR]

David,

Thank you for your response. I hadn't thought of it before, but yes, the lymph nodes did increase in size and several more appearred after I began the pentasa. They have gone back down to just two as opposed to the five I had previously, and they seem to be slowly reducing, so I am hoping they will eventually go away.

Thank you for your help and research. It is good to know that this may be a side effect of the meds and not another health issue to be concerned about!

Thanks,
Alison

 

[Polar a]

Hi there,

I got diagnosed with crohns a month ago I have been taking pantesa since and yesterday I have noticed a swelling on the side of my neck not under my chin bait further down. I spoke to the doctor on the phone and she says it's a swollen gland and to not panic is it normal to get swollen glands on pentasa?

Thanks

 

[AlisonR]

Yes, according to my GI and the research I and others were able to do, Swollen Glands (or lymph nodes) are rare, but a side effect of taking Pentasa. I spoke to both my GI and my general practitioner, they both said to simply monitor them, if they continue to grow larger and/or start becoming painful, then you should notify your dr. as they may be a sign of something else. Otherwise, they are normal and aren't anything to worry about. My lymph nodes remained swollen for a few months, finally going down completely a few weeks ago.

Good luck,
Alison

 

[Polar a]

I got taken off the pentasa by the doctor this morning as I had 11 swollen lymph nodes on my neck and head and more around my body very painful I also have swelling of the throat making it hard to breath also very sore skin and swelling on my wrist I had a very bad reaction I'm now on very strong painkillers and waiting to hear from my consultant. The doctor said if I took more pentasa it could be dangerous for me. Hopefully I will start to feel better soon

 

[Polar a]

This also all happened with in 4 days I had been taking the pantasa for a month

 

[AlisonR]

Sorry to hear about how bad your reaction was. Sounds like I got off really lucky. I hope your symptoms reduce and they are able to find better meds for you.

Good Luck.

Alison

 

[Polar a]

Thanks I hope so too, I broke my toe once and I can say this pain is a lot worse but I will be better in a few weeks I'm just glad I finally got seen by a doctor who had seen it before but not as bad as I got. I hope you also get yours under control