How ASACOL Works: Benefits, Dosage & Mesalamine Uses

Drug

By Shradha Joshi2025-06-12 09:22:54

Some people have a faulty immune system, where their immune cells accidentally attack the healthy cells of their gut, leading to ongoing inflammation —a condition called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is one of the main types of IBD, treatable with an anti-inflammatory drug. One of the popular brand-name effective pills for preventing and treating ulcerative colitis is Asacol. You can inquire about it with your healthcare provider and even learn its details in this article.

This article provides all relevant information about Asacol (Mesalamine) medicine. It focuses on Asacol’s Uses/Benefits, Dosage, and where to buy prescription mesalamine online. If looking for affordable Asacol (Mesalamine) medicine, Buy Mesalamine Online with Canada Pharmacy Pro.

What is Asacol (Mesalamine)?

Asacol is the brand name for the medication mesalamine. It is a registered trademark owned by Medeva Pharma Suisse AG and is distributed under license by Allergan USA, Inc. This medicine is a prescription-only, anti-inflammatory drug that got FDA approval for the treatment of adults diagnosed with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. It can help prevent the flare-ups of ulcerative colitis. Doctors may also prescribe it to manage symptoms like inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea associated with other medical conditions such as proctitis and proctosigmoiditis.

Asacol has mesalamine as the active ingredient. Mesalamine is chemically designated as 5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid.

For more information on how does mesalamine works in the body to treat ulcerative colitis, get details in the following section.

How Does Asacol Work Inside Your Body?

Asacol (Mesalamine) drug falls under the pharmacological class 5 5-aminosalicylates.

It is an anti-inflammatory medication that works to inhibit the synthesis of substances that take part in an acute inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis. The substances include cyclo-oxygenase and prostaglandin, thromboxane synthetase, platelet-activating factor synthetase, and interleukin-1 by macrophages.

Benefits of Asacol for Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum of the large intestine. This condition causes symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, tiredness, rectal bleeding, frequent urges to have a bowel movement, decreased appetite, weight loss, and fever.

Asacol reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, helping to ease symptoms like diarrhea, bleeding, and stomach discomfort caused by ulcerative colitis. It is a delayed-release drug with a special coating so it gets released directly in the colon to reduce its lining swelling and ulcers instead of being digested in the stomach or small intestine after its intake.

Recommended Asacol Dosage

The usual Asacol (Mesalamine) dosage for ulcerative colitis is two 400 mg tablets taken thrice a day, daily for 6 weeks.
Do not take more than 2.4 grams of Asacol in a day.
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully when taking this medication.
Asacol tablets are recommended to be swallowed whole on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after a meal with sufficient water.

Asacol Side Effects and Precautions

The use of Asacol (Mesalamine) in normal, recommended doses by patients suffering from ulcerative colitis is generally completely safe if taken with a doctor’s prescription and as per the doctor’s directions/advice. However, side effects are still a possibility. But not every patient experiences them. Most of the unwanted effects are mild and temporary, and rarely, the effects are serious, requiring prompt medical attention.

Some of the commonly reported Asacol side effects include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea or Constipation
Stomach cramps
Bloating
Fever
Sore throat
Flu-like symptoms
Headache
Dizziness
Tiredness
Skin rash

Some of the serious side effects of taking Asacol, for which prompt medical help is needed, include:

Signs of mesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndrome like intense abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, severe cramps, headache, fever, and skin rash
Signs of kidney inflammation, failure, or stones like swollen legs, ankles, or feet; less urination; confusion; shortness of breath; severe pain in the side or back; and others
Signs of low white blood cell count
Severe skin reactions
Signs of liver problems
Allergic reaction

Asacol (Mesalamine) can have more possible side effects. Talk to a doctor to get more details and even medical advice about side effects.

To avoid serious side effects of Asacol, the patient should take the following precautions:

Take the medicine as directed by a doctor.
If you missed a dose, do not go beyond the daily recommended dosage to make up for it.
Do not take the drug if pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing a child.
Make sure that Asacol is safe for use by informing the doctor about existing allergies, current intake of medications or supplements, and illnesses (if any).
UV protects the skin when on the course of Asacol.
Maintain your regular healthy diet unless your doctor recommends any specific changes.

Where to Buy Mesalamine Online?

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Here, both small and bulk quantity orders of Mesalamine of brand name Asacol can be purchased at a reasonable price. The order of mesalamine will be safely delivered to the purchaser’s doorstep. Furthermore, at the time of online purchase, the purchaser can gather Asacol’s relevant information.

Final Thought: Is Asacol Right for You?

Not all ulcerative colitis patients can safely consume Asacol on a doctor’s prescription, as the drug comes with certain contraindications and precautions.

Asacol (Mesalamine) may not be safe for use in the following situations:

Hypersensitivity or allergy to Asacol ingredients or other salicylate/aminosalicylate drugs
Not an adult or aged 65 years or above
Liver problems
Current or past record of kidney problems
Skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis
Intestinal or stomach blockage
Simultaneous use of drugs which are given for infections, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, hypertension, arthritis, pain, bowel disorder, and other medicines that could interact with Asacol
Being at risk of iron overload due to the intake of iron supplements or having frequent blood transfusions
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding

Asacol (Mesalamine) has positive patient reviews and can be taken safely if the doctor prescribes it. If prescribed for Mesalamine, buy mesalamine online under the brand name Asacol for effective treatment of ulcerative colitis.

FAQ

Is Asacol the same as mesalamine?

Yes. Asacol is a brand-name medication with mesalamine as the active drug ingredient. Both work to reduce inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis.

How long does it take for Asacol to start working?

The inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis starts getting reduced within a few hours of taking the first Asacol dose. But for complete relief from the symptoms, a few weeks, around 4-6 weeks, of waiting is required.

Can I switch from Asacol to another mesalamine brand?

There is no evidence suggesting one mesalamine brand to be more effective than another. If Asacol is not working well or causing more side effects due to its formulation or site of release, the doctor may switch the Asacol prescription to another mesalamine brand. The patient should not interchange the medication or stop taking Asacol without a doctor's prescription.

What should I avoid while taking Asacol?

If having eczema while on the course of Asacol, sun protect the skin and avoid the use of tanning beds, as there is a high risk of sunburn/ UV damage.

Can I buy mesalamine online?

Yes. Many online pharmacies sell mesalamine (Asacol) at discounted prices. One such is Canada Pharmacy Pro, and get the best competitive price and buy mesalamine online at the best price.

Can Asacol be used long-term?

The doctor prescribes a 6-week course of Asacol, so the drug is not meant for long-term use. The ill effects of extending the course haven’t been studied. However, after the Asacol course completion, the doctor may prescribe another mesalamine brand to continue with ulcerative colitis treatment and prevention. Some forms of mesalamine can be used for the long term. Check this with the doctor.