Living with UC
Great ideas to live by
With ulcerative colitis (UC), months can go by without symptoms. These stretches of time are known as remission. During these times, some people may like to think they do not have UC anymore. But then symptoms return, and this is called a flare.
To your doctor, a flare-up is when the lining of your colon becomes inflamed. To you, it may be painful, disruptive, or even embarrassing. Symptoms include bleeding, diarrhea, cramping, and fatigue.
Some people may "tough it out" or tell themselves things are not really that bad. They may be used to excusing themselves from business meetings or family gatherings or canceling plans altogether. Some simple steps and the right medication may change all that.
We have several useful tips and tools that can help you plan carefully enough to do the things you really want to do. With a little preparation, you may get back to your life.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
APRISO is a locally acting aminosalicylate indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in patients 18 years and older. APRISO is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates or aminosalicylates (sulfasalazine) or to any of the components of APRISO capsules. It is recommended that patients have an evaluation of renal function prior to initiation of APRISO therapy and periodically while on therapy. Exercise caution when using APRISO in patients with known renal dysfunction or a history of renal disease. Mesalamine has been associated with an acute intolerance syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from a flare of inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms include cramping, acute abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, sometimes fever, headache, and rash. If acute intolerance syndrome is suspected, promptly discontinue treatment with APRISO. There have been reports of hepatic failure in patients with pre-existing liver disease who have been administered mesalamine. Caution should be exercised when administering APRISO to patients with liver disease. The recommended dose of APRISO is four 0.375-g capsules once daily in the morning (1.5 g/day) with or without food. Because dissolution of the coating of APRISO granules depends on pH, APRISO should not be coadministered with antacids. Patients with phenylketonuria should be aware that APRISO contains aspartame, equivalent to 2.24 mg of phenylalanine per day. In 2 well-controlled clinical trials, the most common treatment-related adverse events occurring in at least 3% of adult patients taking 1.5 g/day of APRISO and at a rate greater than placebo were headache (11% vs 8% for placebo), diarrhea (8% vs 7% for placebo), upper abdominal pain (5% vs 3% for placebo), nausea (4% vs 3% for placebo), nasopharyngitis (4% vs 3% for placebo), influenza and influenza-like illness (4% vs 4% for placebo), and sinusitis (3% vs 3% for placebo).
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/ or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
Complete Prescribing Information
For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-508-0024
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
E-mail: Salix@medcomsol.com