This medication is made by Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Asacol HD belongs to a group of medications called aminosalicylates. It is thought to work by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals in the lining of the
colon. Asacol HD decreases the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, chemicals that lead to the inflammation of ulcerative colitis.
Asacol HD tablets have a special delayed-release coating. The coating prevents the tablets from dissolving until they reach the very end of the small intestine.
When and How Do I Take It?
Considerations for people taking this drug 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 either with food or on an empty stomach. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- The 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.
- Asacol HD 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.
Asacol HD Dosing Information
There is only one standard recommended dosage for this medication. As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning that they either require no treatment or can easily be treated by your healthcare provider.
Common side effects of
Asacol HD include, but are not limited to:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain).
Drug Interactions With Asacol HD
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking It?
You should talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
- Pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the outlet of the stomach)
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver disease, such as liver failure, hepatitis, or cirrhosis
- Any other allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is not clear exactly what to expect from an overdose with
Asacol HD. If you happen to overdose on this medication, seek immediate medical attention
(see Mesalamine Overdose).
How Should Asacol HD Be Stored?
Asacol HD tablets should be stored at room temperature and kept protected from light and moisture. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Asacol HD dose as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Asacol HD.
This medication comes in one strength -- Asacol HD 800 mg tablets. It is important to note that taking two regular strength Asacol 400 mg tablets is not equivalent to taking one Asacol HD tablet, as the two medications are absorbed differently.
Generic Availability of Asacol HD
