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Pentasa (Mesalamine) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Pentasa (Mesalamine) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 3 ratings/reviews, Pentasa has an overall score of 9. The effectiveness score is 8 and the side effect score is 9.33. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Pentasa review by 59 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   crohn's disease
Dosage & duration:   2000mg daily taken 2 times a day for the period of 7 yrs +
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   nexium imuran
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It releived symptoms of crohns disease and inflammatory bowel disease. It stopped symptoms of bloating pain cramping and diarrea associated with crohns disease. I did not have any side effects from this medication. After surgery I began taking this medication daily at first I took 16 capsules a day 4 ccapsules 4 timea a day. Then cut it back to 8 daily. About 2 years ago I began taking the 500 mg dosage and take this 2 capsules 2 times a day.
Side effects:   none to me
Comments:   I began talking 250mg 4 capsules 4 times a day along with other medications after surgery for a bowel obstruction. this was the 3rd surgery for bowel obstruction I had over 20 year period. Eventually I weaned down to 8 capsules then began 500 mg and take 4 capsules per day.

 

Pentasa review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ulcerative colitis
Dosage & duration:   2 tablets daily taken once daily for the period of life long
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   5-aminosalicylic acid, or mesalamine, belongs to the group of medications known as anti-inflammatories. It is used to treat mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis and mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease.5-aminosalicylic acid (or 5-ASA) acts by reducing inflammation in the bowel.
Side effects:   I have been talking mesalamine for 2 years and so far have not noticed any side effects. This treatment should be administered a life long. In case of a flare up (inflamed digestive tract) the dosage can be tripled.
Comments:   2 tablets daily (500 mg) and in case of a flare up (inflamed digestive tract) the dosage can be tripled and for precaution measures a colonscopy should be done very 2 - 3 years. During a flare up I have light abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Salofalk is an anti inflammatory to reduce inflammation in the bowel.

 

Pentasa review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Pentasa
Dosage & duration:   500mg capsules taken 4 capsules/2x day for the period of 8 years
Other conditions:   Crohn's disease, depression
Other drugs taken:   Purinethol, Wellbutrin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Pentasa seems to be an effective anti-inflammatory drug, minimizing pain in my intestines/colon. I have been close to remission for a couple of years now, and I attribute it primarily to the Pentasa.
Side effects:   I don't feel as though I have any discernible side-effects with Pentasa, but when paired with Purinethol I do have side effects such as extreme fatigue and headaches, leading me to believe the problem lies with the Purinethol. I do have intermittent constipation, which could be attributable to a number of factors in my life, but is also a side-effect of Pentasa. I also have mild headaches, muscle pain, and anxiety which are listed as possible side-effects with Pentasa, but to the best of my knowledge these symptoms were occuring prior to my starting Pentasa. Perhaps the Pentasa exacerbates the problems, I don't know. I know that I do worry about kidney problems, which is one of the more serious side-effects of this medicine.
Comments:   Twelve years ago I became ill with what was diagnosed two years later (!) as Crohn's disease. I have used a variety of medications, ranging from more serious drugs (Prednisone, Remicade)to less "harmful" drugs (Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin, Asacol, etc.). I have been on the Pentasa for about 8 years, during which time I was using Purinethol for several years. A year or so ago I weaned myself off of the Purinethol and remained on the highest dose of Pentasa for my weight, and I am doing well (knock on wood). I have constipation issues as opposed to my previous diarrhea problems, which may be attributable to the Pentasa, and is manageable through diet and over-the-counter aids.
 


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