Tips for Staying on Track

    Making smart choices to help you stay in remission from ulcerative colitis (UC)

    When it comes to maintaining remission from UC symptoms, there are things you can actively do and choices you can make every day to help. Here are a few suggestions that may help keep you free from flare-ups.

    Take your medication as prescribed

    If your UC is in remission and you haven’t had a flare-up in a while, it might be tempting to stop taking your medication. Staying on your prescribed treatment, as instructed by your doctor, may be an important way of helping to maintain remission. If you have any concerns about your treatment, always talk to your doctor.

    Tips for remembering to take your medicine:

    • Make taking your medicine part of your daily routine, such as taking it at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor
    • Use electronic reminders, such as cell phone texts or alarms, to let you know when your next dose is due.

    Tips when traveling:

    • Be sure to pack enough medicine to last for your trip. You may want to bring along a few extra days’ worth, in case your plans change
    • Keep at least some of your medication with you in your carry-on bag, in case luggage is delayed, lost, or stolen

    Some other things to consider

    In addition to taking your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, these suggestions may also help you maintain UC remission.

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    It’s always a good idea to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet so that your body can get the nutrition it needs. While no specific foods have been proven to cause UC, you’ll want to avoid any foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. For some people, these may include high-fiber foods, raw vegetables, “gassy” foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, and, in some cases, dairy products.

    Eating large meals is hard on the digestive system. Try eating 5 or 6 smaller meals throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 big meals.

    Be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, because there is a risk of dehydration with UC. However, try to avoid beverages with caffeine because they can irritate the intestines.

    Stress doesn’t cause UC, but it can make symptoms worse. So think about ways to reduce the stress in your life. And, since getting rid of all stress is impossible, find ways to manage it. Exercise can help, even light exercise like walking. Also consider activities like yoga, meditation, or a massage.

     

    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.