Remicade and Asacol combo

[Louie]

This is my first time on this forum. I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Crohn's. I was put on both Remicade (started with infusion every 8 weeks) and Asacol (2400mg/day - 1200 am; 1200 pm) and have not had any problems since then.

Does anyone take both of these drugs together? If so, has anyone successfully eliminated one or the other?

I have chosen to receive the Remicade every 10 weeks about a year ago instead of the normal 8 week increment and haven't seen any difference so far. Has anyone else received their infusions longer than 8 weeks apart and had success?

I have heard that you can become immune to Remicade? Does anyone have any personal experience with this?

Has anyone simply stopped taking Remicade and how did it affect you?

I heard that if you stop taking Remicade you can't start it again because it will not be effective. Does anyone have any personal experience with this?

 

[Jennifer]

Hi Louie and welcome to the forum!

I've never taken Remicade but have taken 6MP and Asacol together. Asacol is used to help prevent more inflammation so once you're n remission its less likely that you'll need the Asacol (I took it for a number of years after my surgery but have been off it for about 4 years now yet I could have come off it sooner, just switched GIs too many times from moving).

I think with most medications your body can become used to them so sometimes you'll need a higher dose until the time comes when you'll have to try something else. Everyone is different though so its possible you may never deal with that in the future. As far as stopping it and going back on, that I'm not sure of. I know you can with steroids, Asacol, 6MP etc so in my mind you should be able to try it again in the future because not only is every person different but every flare is different (some are more mild than others).

The only med that I know you have to wean off of is Prednisone. Even Entocort can be stopped cold turkey (unless its been over 3 months then talk to your doctor about it). I've stopped 6MP and Asacol cold turkey no problem but I'm sure someone else knows more than I do about Remicade.

 

[SarahAnne]

Louie, if you start Remicade and then stop it can lead to your body developing anti-bodies against the Remicade. This doesn't necessarily always happen though. I have been on Remicade, stopped and restarted twice before. There was a period of at least 2 years in between each "cycle" of Remicade.

It's not something I would recommend, everyone's personal situation is different. Talk to your doctor, definitely.

 

[Trevor]

I can't comment on the particular combo but I'm on Asacol with Imuran and recently stopped taking the Asacol as I really have never noticed it making any sort of difference. So far no worse for wear.

 

[crazycanuck]

I was on asacol alone, then imuran, then asacol/remicade, imuran/remicade and finally now just remicade. Asacol for me was about as useful as sugar pills and I was told the reason for using it and then the imuran while on remicade was to prevent myself from becoming immune to it. My doctor and I finally decided to stop taking anything in combination with the remicade about 8 months ago and I haven't noticed a difference. My GI tells me there are conflicting studies about if there really is benefit from taking a drug like imuran or asacol in combination with the remicade.