An Overview of Dosing for Asacol HD
There is only one standard
Asacol HD® (
mesalamine) dosage, regardless or your age or weight. As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Asacol HD Dosing for Ulcerative Colitis
Asacol HD is only approved for short-term treatment of active
ulcerative colitis flares (for six weeks), as it has not yet been adequately studied for longer use. It should be noted that a very similar medication (regular Asacol) is approved for longer use and for maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis.
It is also important to note that taking two regular-strength Asacol (400 mg) tablets is not the same as taking one Asacol HD (800 mg) tablet, since the medication is absorbed differently.
General Information on Dosing With Asacol HD
Some considerations for people taking Asacol HD include the following:
- The medication comes as a tablet that is usually taken by mouth three times a day for six weeks.
- You can take Asacol HD with food or on an empty stomach. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- Asacol HD tablets have a special coating that makes them delayed-release tablets. In order to protect the special coating, you should not cut, chew, or crush the tablets.
- This medication should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
- For the drug to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed.
- If you are unsure about anything related to your Asacol HD dosage, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
