Asacol HD
Generic name:mesalamine (oral) [ me-SAL-a-meen ]
Drug class:5-aminosalicylates
What is Asacol HD?
Asacol HD affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.
Asacol HD delayed-release 800mg tablets are used to treat moderately active ulcerative colitis in adults.
Warnings
Stop using Asacol HD and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody diarrhea (may occur with fever, headache, and skin rash).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Asacol HD if you are allergic to mesalamine, aspirin, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doans Pills, Dolobid, Kaopectate, NuprinBackache, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).
To make sure Asacol HD is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a kidney stone or kidney disease;
a blockage in your stomach or intestines (such as pyloric stenosis); or
a skin condition such as eczema.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether mesalamine will harm an unborn baby. However, having untreated or uncontrolled ulcerative colitis during pregnancy may cause complications such as low birth weight or premature birth. The benefit of treating ulcerative colitis may outweigh any risks to the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk. If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice diarrhea in the nursing baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child. Asacol HD is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Asacol HD?
Take Asacol HD exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Asacol HD.
Take Asacol HD on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Drink plenty of liquids to help prevent kidney stones.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet.
Tell your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.
Call your doctor if your ulcerat...
