Delzicol vs Asacol. Asacol, which is no longer manufactured or marketed in the US, has been reformulated into Delzicol. However, if you are from a European country, you can still purchase Asacol, which is still manufactured and sold in that region of the world.
What is Delzicol?
Your doctor might advise Delzicol if you have mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis.
Mesalamine, also known as 5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA, is a medication in Delzicol frequently used to treat this particular kind of ulcerative colitis.
Patients 5 years of age and older with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis were shown to experience fewer symptoms after taking Delzicol. It was also shown to help maintain remission with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis among adults.
“Remission” means that there was little or no inflammation in the patient’s colon based on specific criteria by diagnostic evaluation at the beginning of the study and six months later.
Delzicol side effects
Typical side effects of Delzicol include the following:
- inflammation of the nose and throat
- headache
- stomachache
- dizziness
- inflammation of sinuses
- rash
- cough
- diarrhea
- tiredness
- fever
- increased lipase
Delzicol risk information
You should not take Delzicol if you are:
- Allergic to salicylates or aminosalicylates (aspirin or medications that contain aspirin)
- Allergic to any Delzicol ingredients
Inform your doctor before taking Delzicol if you are:
- Have experienced renal issues
- Are sulfasalazine allergic
- Have or have experienced allergic responses that have affected the heart, such as myocarditis or inflammation of the heart’s lining (pericarditis)
- Take any supplements that include iron
- Have liver issue
- Have a gastrointestinal obstruction or have had one
- Are breast-feeding, planning to breast-feed, or are pregnant
- Have any additional medical problems
What is Asacol?
Asacol is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat proctitis, proctosigmoiditis, ulcerative colitis, and other bowel diseases.
The active ingredient in Asacol is mesalamine, which is also its generic name. It is a member of the class of medicines known as aminosalicylates.
You can take Asacol orally in the form of delayed-release pills. Taking delayed-release pills releases the medication from the pill’s shell until it reaches your intestines.
Asacol side effects
Some of the side effects that you may experience from taking Asacol are the following:
- headache
- nausea
- Cold symptoms (runny nose, painful throat)
- belly ache
- diarrhea
- uneasy stomach
- gas
- influenza
- fever
- cough
Many of the medication’s mild side effects may disappear in a few days to a few weeks. However, consult your doctor or pharmacist if they affect your daily life.