Generic Name: Pentasa (mesalamine)
Pentasa Reviews
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm 24 years old and my Crohn's is continuously getting worse. Every year I look more pale and more like a skeleton. When I eat food, it goes through me within an hour. I use the bathroom every time I eat. I've been dizzy with no energy. I started taking Pentasa 2 months ago. I have never felt dizzy since, the color is coming back to my skin. I've gained a little bit of weight, and I only use the bathroom once a day. I haven't been taking the drug very long, but so far it seems to be my lifesaver!"
For Ulcerative Colitis "I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 27 years ago. I was put on Pentasa 500mg twice daily. My GP took me off it after 10 years as he felt it was no longer needed. This was a big mistake. I suffered numerous diarrhea occasions over the 5 years I was off it. This then resulted in needing multiple periods on steroids. My consultant put me back on Pentasa then and I've never had to take steroids since. Pentasa has brought normality back into my life. However, I do find I am very prone to picking up infections. I'm not sure if this is linked to the Pentasa or ulcerative colitis. Overall, it has been a lifesaver in that I no longer miss work and can live a normal lifestyle."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I’m 19 and turning 20. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s last March and was taking Pentasa, and it works great, but when I switched to United Healthcare, they wouldn’t cover it. They then prescribed me Apriso. If your Crohn’s is specific to your small intestine and not your colon, please don’t take Apriso. Apriso is meant to target your colon. I went back to the hospital for the third time because of it, so it was decided that I should go back onto Pentasa. It really works for those who aren’t sure about it. It really does. I was in severe pain for months until Pentasa. It’s kept the pain away and let me get back to a normal diet. For those who were on Pentasa and were forced to change medication due to insurance, you can dispute to your insurance that you need it. It took 2 months to do it for me, but it worked out. My insurance now will cover it. Good luck to those with Crohn’s and/or are having trouble finding medication or can’t take Pentasa anymore."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Pentasa for Crohn's. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2001. I have been taking Pentasa for over ten years, and I find it works well. I was taking Asacol, but I found them hard to swallow. I could not swallow Pentasa either, and dissolving in my throat was a real problem, so a few years ago, I started dissolving them in water and adding yogurt or jam. Amazingly, it did the trick. I haven't had any problems with my Crohn's for many years."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was diagnosed in 1983 with Crohn’s at age 19. That triggered a “preexisting condition,” which led to me being uninsured for 30 years. As my disease progressed, it felt like I was going through a colonoscopy prep every day of my life. Bloody diarrhea constantly, so much I had to stop working. I started on Pentasa about a month ago, and for the first time in 30 years, I have had solid BMs and no bleeding. It’s like a miracle drug for me. The doctor wants me to take it as a suppository at night along with 500 mg capsules 3 times a day. The capsules cost $250/month copay ($2,500 regular price), but Medicare won’t cover the suppositories, which are $9,000! Who can afford that? The main side effect of this drug, for me, is bankruptcy. Other than that, it works great."
For Ulcerative Colitis "Received a diagnosis last year of ulcerative colitis when I stopped smoking. Two months later, all the symptoms hit: bloated, pains in the stomach, constipation, and lots of blood! I went for a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. At first, I was given the rectal foam... I found the process awful, once inserted, you couldn’t move, otherwise it triggered a bowel movement and also caused awful cramps. I then tried the Pentasa tablets, taking 2 a day for 8 weeks now, and what a difference! The bloating and pain in the stomach has gone down loads, bowel movements are more regular, and much less bleeding. I still get the odd niggly feelings and a small amount of blood, so the doctor has recommended upping the dose to 4 a day. So far though, these tablets have massively improved my ulcerative colitis. I’m in the UK and fortunate enough to have the NHS, so I pay £9 for three big boxes. It’s crazy to think people have to pay hundreds for no fault of their own!"
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Totally awesome. I was diagnosed over 25 years ago with Crohn's. I take 1000mg 3 times a day of Pentasa and 50mg of mercaptopurine once a day, and I have only had 2 flare-ups. With proper diet, exercise, and medications taken as directed daily on a regular schedule, remission and a normal life are possible."
For Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with UC in 2018 due to high levels of stress causing serious diarrhea, sharp stomach pain, bloating, and bleeding. I got various tests until the doctors were able to diagnose me with UC. Starting off with steroids for a couple of weeks, I then began taking 4 tablets daily, and the improvements were amazing. I am able to eat any food without any complications. When I find myself stressed out, I do see little flare-ups, but they go away after a day or two max. I would 100% recommend this medication for anyone to try if you have these symptoms due to stress."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "This medicine is the best thing that ever could happen for me. I'm able to eat without it running back out the next 10 minutes. I have gained weight, now I'm worried about gaining too much weight from all the eating I do. I should have started taking it last year, but I was worried about the side effects. But no side effects."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was recently diagnosed with Crohn's, having painful cramps, bloody stool, and diarrhea. My 2nd day being on Pentasa, I ate Taco Bell (which most people with Crohn's will tell you almost kills you, haha!) I had absolutely no cramps or diarrhea!!! I'm on week 2, taking 500 mg 4 times a day, and I'm still feeling great! No cramps whatsoever! The only symptoms I've noticed were slight chest tightness the first couple of days, slight weight loss, increased appetite, and a little bit of my hair falling out. I started taking folic acid to help with the hair loss."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I am 67 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's at age 50. I have taken Pentasa for 16 years. I took 4x250 mg three times daily and experienced chest pains. I cut it to 3x250 mg three times daily, and that took care of the chest pains. I am a fairly petite woman, so that could be a factor. I have had flare-ups but generally have done great. I tried cutting back myself, and each time had severe pain, vomiting, etc. I now know not to cut back. I hope to continue on Pentasa."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Was diagnosed about 1 year after an emergency surgery for a mass in my colon due to a buildup of scar tissue from inflammation. After a couple of months of 500 mg 3X a day, frequency of flare-ups were greatly reduced. Only had 2 noticeable symptoms, one of weight gain and an elevated liver function test. My dosage was reduced to 2X a day, and liver function is normal, but weight gain is still an issue. Diet and stress level seem to be the most important factors in controlling flare-ups."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I am unable to purchase my pentasa 500 Mg that I have been taking affordably for over 30 years. The Affordable Health Care Act we have today is very misleading. The price went from $300.00 for 90 day to $1,556.00 for the same. Please Americans are suffering without their meds!!!!"
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was diagnosed in 2013 with Crohn's. Pentasa has relieved my symptoms greatly. I take 500 mg 4 times a day. I find it works better for me when I take it with food. My only side effect is night quivers. Other than this, Pentasa works wonders. It's well worth my $55 copayment each month."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I've been taking Pentasa for several years. I remember vividly having to go to the bathroom several times a day. I have to go just once a day, maybe once every other day since taking Pentasa. My dosage is two 500 mg capsules four times a day. The only side effect I have experienced is passing gas considerably."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm a 47-year-old male and have had Crohn's now for 17 years. I've been taking one sachet of Pentasa in the morning after breakfast. I realize I'm pretty lucky as I lead a normal life, enjoying a pint or two with a curry, etc. My only issue from time to time is painful cramps from my back passage, this happens during the night and can last anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour. This happens maybe once every 2 months. I have not had any surgery, so I'm very grateful for Pentasa, as it seems to keep my Crohn's at bay. I'm from Scotland and get my medication prescription free."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I take 1000 mg 2x a day along with Humira every two weeks. The combination works very well for me, and I'm healthier than I've been in years. The only significant side effect for me has been anxiety. I am told it is not a side effect, but I've been off and on Pentasa over the years, and the 3-year stretch where I was off completely, my anxiety went away entirely. It wasn't until I went back on Pentasa that I made the connection."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Pentasa is the only drug I take, and it works great! Never have had any side effects. I was in horrible pain from the cramping until I started taking it over a year ago. I am very pleased with this medicine."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I am 70. I was diagnosed with Crohns disease three years ago after I had severe rectal bleeding for the third time in three months. I was put on Prednisone for four weeks then 6-MP. A week later I ended up in the ER. It took the hospital six days to find out what was wrong with me but finally diagnosed sepsis. The 6-MP was replaced with Budesonide for a month then I began taking two Pentasa pills four times a day. The Pentasa seems to be working perfectly. I have a few minor side effects but some or all may come from by heart medicines."
For Ulcerative Colitis "I have had left side colitis since my return from Vietnam in 1970. I have been in and out of the hospital, put on Prednisone so many times, every drug imaginable over the years… Five years ago I had one of my twice yearly bad flares and my Dr. put me on 8 500mg tablets every day. It has been a miracle for me. In remission for 5 years. No side effects. I’m 78 years old, so I have had this a long time. The only negative side is trying to swallow those horse pills… my advice to my fellow sufferers is don’t give up! One last thing… I moved to Costa Rica with my wife 13 years ago. I belong to Caja which is the country's socialized medical system. It covers all the cost of the drug."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I've just started Pentasa, and so far, so good, I think! I was diagnosed when I was 19, and now I'm 32. I was on Asacol for most of that time, but my doctor felt it was no longer working the way it needed to! I ended up in the hospital for 2 days due to severe dehydration 2 weeks ago! I had also lost 30 lbs in the last 2 months. I have actually been able to eat the last couple of days, and I'm not feeling the pain from eating!"
For Ulcerative Colitis "I began taking Pentasa in 1986 when it was still an experimental drug. I have taken over 150,000 250mg capsules! My UC has been in remission for over 25 years now. I still take six 250 mg capsules daily. For me, Pentasa has been a miracle drug, as I wasn't too far from death in the early 1980's. I just wish it was available as a generic. I am now on Medicare, and the prescription part D plans don't pay well. It will cost me hundreds per month."
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm a 25-year-old female. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in August 2011. I had a bowel resection at the end of September due to the severity of my illness. I've been taking Pentasa for about 3 months now and feel good, but my hair has been falling out like crazy. I read a normal person loses 50-100 strands a day, I'm losing probably triple that. It's really depressing. I'm switching to another medicine to see if that helps with the hair loss. Other than that, I haven't had any side effects. Good luck!"
For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I take Pentasa much in the way people take Rolaids. As soon as I feel like my intestines are reacting poorly I will take 2 pentasa.500mg and my stomach calms down within 10 minutes. I have no idea why it works for me, a Crohns patient for 10 years in this way. I do not ever take it as a preventative medicine. As a topical way to calm intestine discomfort, it just seems to be miraculous."
For Ulcerative Colitis "Age 37, diagnosed with bad UC at 12, recent years only flares up 2-3 times/year. Currently fighting first bout of the year with pentasa suppositories, taking 1-2/day. Has stopped the bleeding and going less frequently BUT awful headaches (as with Asacol/Salofalk foam enemas). Note to self/others who are sick of drugs: I have found (25 yrs in) that it IS possible to be symptom free if you properly and consistently take care of yourself. This means plenty of rest/sleep, camomile tea/water, gentle exercise, meditation (mindfulness is a cliché/buzzword but there's a lot to it), steamed veggies/rice, avoiding sugar/alcohol/dairy/caffeine (going gluten-free can help some people too) ... I intend to cure myself completely one of these days!!"
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