HELP! Stopping Prednisone and going on Mezavant (5A5A)?!

I was diagnosed with UC a few weeks ago, and I was prescribed prednisone to control my symptoms (40mg per day, tapering by 5mg per week). After 2.5 weeks, I am virtually symptom free (except for some rectal bleeding in 50% of my stools), and I am currently at 30mg/day.

Now, the doctor just prescribed mezavant (a 5A5A) to prevent flare-ups (3.6g per day for 6-12 months).

Should I be abruptly stopping my prednisone and switching over to mezavant? Or should I be taking BOTH and continuing my prednisone taper?

Also, what are people paying for mezavant? I just dished out $180 for only 30 days of supply!

Post Edited (jaxagain) : 3/23/2015 4:33:35 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks!

My prescription is to take 3 pills once a day with food.

iPoop said...
Take both your mezavant and prednisone medications each day as prescribed by your doctor. You should be slowly tapering off of prednisone, as it is a temporary use, rescue medication that is dangerous when used long-term.

Mezavant is maintenance medication for life, not just for 6-12 months, as you state (uc is caused by your immune system attacking your large intestine which causes inflammation, bleeding, diarrhea and you medications treat only symptoms; they cannot cure an incurable disease). If Mezavant is too costly, then ask for a generic alternative. As Mezavant is a brand name medication and therefore more expensive than generics.

Actually, I am very tempted to do an aggressive taper. The problem is that yesterday I received the heartbreaking news that I also have chronic pancreatitis. And prednisone can cause/worsen pancreatitis. So I'm not sure why my GI prescribed prednisone to begin with, but to me it's clear I need to be very aggressive (say a taper of 2.5g per day) especially since all my UC symptoms are gone (no rectal bleeding in over 2 days, although I'm having some bloating right now). Of course I'll slow the taper if I start feeling side effects.

As for the Mezavant, my GI definitely told me 6-12 months. I'm not too concerned anyway, since it was my first flare. Right now my priority is treating my pancreatitis. But I'll definitely ask for a generic when I come back for my second prescription. Thanks.

Thanks iPoop. Question: do I need calcium, vitamin D, and other supplements for 5-ASA medication?

I've been symptom-free for almost 2 weeks now, and I'm down to 7.5mg/day of prednisone. I've been tapering by half or quarter 5mg pills on a daily basis, and the only side effect is some very minor fatigue and headaches, but no where severe enough to make me miss work. It has proven to be a very solid treatment.

hopefully the 5-asa is enough. after 6-12 months you may be able to go to fewer pills. it is advisable to not stop 5-asa completely, as subsequent flares are often worse and less responsive.

there are some generic forms of 5-asa but they mostly do not have delayed release to target the colon. I use Lialda, which is preferred by my Caremark plan, and with the manufacturer's card I get down under $50/mo.

you said you were diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. Since you also have a UC diagnosis, is it possible you have autoimmune pancreatitis? Best.