What can I do about ulcerative colitis?

    The questions to ask yourself

    You may not even give it a second thought anymore. When friends call and ask you to meet them, you automatically say "No," because you are afraid of a flare-up of your ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms. Telling yourself it is okay to miss out on places you really want to go is typical for people with UC. But there is so much more to life than your UC.

    Be prepared

    You may be afraid of flare-ups, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gas coming back and keeping you from venturing out to public places. But you don't have to wait for the latest blockbuster to be released for streaming at home. To see that movie on the big screen, use careful planning to overcome your fear or reluctance.

    Never feel at a loss, thanks to the bathroom finder

    One practical tip is to map out restroom locations before you go to restaurants, shopping areas, and theaters. Here is a restroom finder you may find useful.

    Prepare for the journey

    For longer trips, carrying extra underclothing and wet wipes can help you feel more prepared. It is also very important to remember to carry enough of your medication for the length of your trip.

    Keep track of symptoms, and keep asking questions

    Take an inventory of the activities you have dropped out of or plans you have canceled because you have accepted that your condition is in charge. Then, think about how great it would be to turn the tables on your disease.

    When symptoms flare up, do you:

    • Tell yourself that "things could be much worse"?
    • Ignore symptoms, telling yourself they will go away?
    • Feel hopeless or pessimistic about your condition?
    • Avoid certain job opportunities?

    If you answered Yes to any of these questions, it is time to take a more active role in managing your condition so you do not let it get the best of you. Extended relief could be within reach if you take positive steps, such as:

    • Talking with your doctor about proper diet and exercise that fits your needs and helps you manage your symptoms
    • Keeping close track of your symptoms
    • Preparing by
      • Finding out where the restrooms are ahead of time
      • Bringing extra underclothing on outings
      • Carrying extra toilet paper or wet wipes
    • Taking your medication as prescribed

    INDICATION

    APRISO® (mesalamine) extended-release capsules are indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in adults.

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION—APRISO extended-release capsules

    • You should not take APRISO extended-release capsules if you experience an allergic reaction to salicylates or aminosalicylates, or to any of the components of APRISO capsules.

    • Kidney impairment has been reported in patients given products like APRISO (contain mesalamine or are converted to mesalamine). It is recommended that you have an evaluation of kidney function prior to treatment with APRISO therapy and periodically while on therapy. Talk to your doctor if you have any kidney problems before taking APRISO.

    • Mesalamine has been associated with an acute intolerance syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from a flare of your ulcerative colitis. Symptoms include cramping, acute abdominal (stomach) pain and bloody diarrhea, sometimes fever, headache, and rash. Talk to your doctor if you experience a worsening of these problems after you start treatment.

    • If you have liver disease, talk to your doctor before taking APRISO. There have been reports of liver failure in patients with liver disease who have taken mesalamine.

    • Some people who use APRISO can have serious skin reactions. Stop using APRISO and tell your doctor right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of a serious skin reaction.

    • If you have pre-existing skin conditions, wear protective clothing and use a broad spectrum sunscreen when outdoors to avoid sun exposure.

    • Drink plenty of fluids while taking APRISO to decrease the risk of developing kidney stones. Call your doctor if you have severe side or back pain or blood in the urine.

    • In the clinical studies, the most common side effects occurring in at least 3% of patients taking APRISO were headache, diarrhea, upper abdominal (stomach) pain, nausea, nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nasal passages), flu and flu-like illness, and inflammation of the sinuses.

    • You should not take APRISO while taking antacids because the dissolving of APRISO granules depends on the acidity in your stomach.

    • If you are 65 years old or older, talk to your doctor before taking APRISO. Blood cell count must be monitored closely if you are 65 or older and on mesalamine therapy.

    • If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), please be aware that each APRISO capsule contains aspartame equivalent to 0.56 mg of phenylalanine, so that the recommended adult dosing provides an equivalent of 2.24 mg of phenylalanine per day.


    You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


    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

    Please click here for full Prescribing Information for APRISO extended-release capsules. OR Please see full Prescribing Information for APRISO extended-release capsules.

    See More

    INDICATION

    APRISO® (mesalamine) extended-release capsules are indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in adults.

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION—APRISO extended-release capsules

    • You should not take APRISO extended-release capsules if you experience an allergic reaction to salicylates or aminosalicylates, or to any of the components of APRISO capsules.

    • Kidney impairment has been reported in patients given products like APRISO (contain mesalamine or are converted to mesalamine). It is recommended that you have an evaluation of kidney function prior to treatment with APRISO therapy and periodically while on therapy. Talk to your doctor if you have any kidney problems before taking APRISO.

    • Mesalamine has been associated with an acute intolerance syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from a flare of your ulcerative colitis. Symptoms include cramping, acute abdominal (stomach) pain and bloody diarrhea, sometimes fever, headache, and rash. Talk to your doctor if you experience a worsening of these problems after you start treatment.

    • If you have liver disease, talk to your doctor before taking APRISO. There have been reports of liver failure in patients with liver disease who have taken mesalamine.

    • Some people who use APRISO can have serious skin reactions. Stop using APRISO and tell your doctor right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of a serious skin reaction.

    • If you have pre-existing skin conditions, wear protective clothing and use a broad spectrum sunscreen when outdoors to avoid sun exposure.

    • Drink plenty of fluids while taking APRISO to decrease the risk of developing kidney stones. Call your doctor if you have severe side or back pain or blood in the urine.

    • In the clinical studies, the most common side effects occurring in at least 3% of patients taking APRISO were headache, diarrhea, upper abdominal (stomach) pain, nausea, nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nasal passages), flu and flu-like illness, and inflammation of the sinuses.

    • You should not take APRISO while taking antacids because the dissolving of APRISO granules depends on the acidity in your stomach.

    • If you are 65 years old or older, talk to your doctor before taking APRISO. Blood cell count must be monitored closely if you are 65 or older and on mesalamine therapy.

    • If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), please be aware that each APRISO capsule contains aspartame equivalent to 0.56 mg of phenylalanine, so that the recommended adult dosing provides an equivalent of 2.24 mg of phenylalanine per day.


    You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


    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

    Please click here for full Prescribing Information for APRISO extended-release capsules. OR Please see full Prescribing Information for APRISO extended-release capsules.