Question:

Hey, everybody out there: doesn’t anyone use sulfasalazine anymore?  Asacol/Pentasa are so expensive and in my case, weren’t as effective as the sulfasalazine.  During one limited flare-up two years ago, my GI at the time switched me to Pentasa, afraid that the sulfasalazine was causing nausea.  My symptoms were much worse until I switched myself back to the sulfasalazine.   –Gretchen

Two reasons – a fairly high percentage of people trying sulfasalazine have side effects (higher than mesalamine), and (a related reason) people can generally take higher doses of mesalamine due to the lower incidence of side effects.  Still, sulfasalazine can be more effective for some people; for one thing, the sulfa component has antibacterial properties that help some people out.

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(part of post clipped…) far – abdominal pain, but manageable. Anyhow – the  doc put me on pentasa. After two weeks I had an incident of very high fever and cramping – went away after I stopped the drug. (Thats the only med I have tried thus far.) Anyone else have this reaction? The  doc didn’t believe me. He was very patronizing anyhow, and I am finding a new specialist,

My wife had UC and now has a J-pouch to overcome the problem. She has been on a maintanance dose of Imodium for several years. She recently had a bout of poutcitus, and her consultant thought he would give the Pentasa a go. She took one dose, with in 4 hours had the worst BM’s for a long time, cramp, fever. I got her into hospital 12 hours later, she was on an IV drip for 3 days and in that time lost 3/4 of a stone in weight. She has thankfully recovered now, but we’re never going to go near that stuff again! Kevin.

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I have been on pentasa for about 6 months and have had no side effect. Also on high dose of steriods and a new drug called 6-MP. Only on the 6-MP short timer. Wondering if anyone out there on it and what their experience is? Kristen

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Dear fellow "Crohnie", I have been on Pentasa for many years now and found little or no side effects for me, although, keep in mind everyone reacts to drugs differently. It’s a good thing that you are seeking out a new Dr. especially since you have lost trust in the last one. A good, reliable, caring Dr. who listens to your concerns is most important in my book. Good luck and take care :o )

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(part of post clipped…) far – abdominal pain, but manageable. Anyhow – the  doc put me on pentasa. After two weeks I had an incident of very high fever and cramping – went away after I stopped the drug. (Thats the only med I have tried thus far.) Anyone else have this reaction? The  doc didn’t believe me. He was very patronizing anyhow, and I am finding a new specialist,

I had a similar reaction the first time I tried Pentasa, after for several days in a row.  I waited to call (it was the weekend before Christmas), so had the symptoms for almost a week. My doc was out, his partner said stop the Pentasa and, same as you, the symptoms went away. However, I tried Pentasa again a month later, and did okay (still doing okay, actually…10mg Pred & 3000 mg Pentasa, if my math is right). My doc thought I was looney as well, if it makes you feel better. It’s that MD/god complex, I think.

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  Hi,        I ve  never taken pentasa – i was diagnosed with CD about 6 ys ago. I took Pred. /asacol /aziothioprine/etc and remained in a state of ill health. Abandoning conventional treatment because of the patronizing attitude of my consultant, I started a variety of unorthodox treatments which over the years have been fine tuned. I have the help you need. Youre new to this disorder – you guts are reasonably new even now – give me a bell and ill let you know what goes down.               Chris

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Hi. I’ve been recently (in the last couple of weeks) been diagnosed with CD, though have suspected it for a while. My symptoms are pretty mild so far – abdominal pain, but manageable. Anyhow – the  doc put me on pentasa. After two weeks I had an incident of very high fever and cramping – went away after I stopped the drug. (Thats the only med I have tried thus far.) Anyone else have this reaction? The  doc didn’t believe me. He was very patronizing anyhow, and I am finding a new specialist, still I am curious about side effects, how common, etc. Thanks.

Glad you’re finding a new doctor!  Why are there so many docs out there that just dismiss you if you don’t fit their textbook expectations? Easing into the drug–starting at a fairly low dose and then gradually increasing the dosage–might help.  Ask your new doc what he/she thinks about that. Hey, everybody out there: doesn’t anyone use sulfasalazine anymore?  Asacol/Pentasa are so expensive and in my case, weren’t as effective as the sulfasalazine.  During one limited flare-up two years ago, my GI at the time switched me to Pentasa, afraid that the sulfasalazine was causing nausea.  My symptoms were much worse until I switched myself back to the sulfasalazine.   –Gretchen

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Hi. I’ve been recently (in the last couple of weeks) been diagnosed with CD, though have suspected it for a while. My symptoms are pretty mild so far – abdominal pain, but manageable. Anyhow – the  doc put me on pentasa. After two weeks I had an incident of very high fever and cramping – went away after I stopped the drug. (Thats the only med I have tried thus far.) Anyone else have this reaction? The  doc didn’t believe me. He was very patronizing anyhow, and I am finding a new specialist, still I am curious about side effects, how common, etc. Thanks.

You should ask your pharmacist for the package insert that comes with pentasa – you paid for it, you have a right to it.  I *think* what happened to you is mentioned as a rare side effect, although I’m not sure.  Certainly if it is you can show it to your current doctor on your way out the door.

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Hi. I’ve been recently (in the last couple of weeks) been diagnosed with CD, though have suspected it for a while. My symptoms are pretty mild so far – abdominal pain, but manageable. Anyhow – the  doc put me on pentasa. After two weeks I had an incident of very high fever and cramping – went away after I stopped the drug. (Thats the only med I have tried thus far.) Anyone else have this reaction? The  doc didn’t believe me. He was very patronizing anyhow, and I am finding a new specialist, still I am curious about side effects, how common, etc. Thanks.

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