Lialda v. ?

You mean out of similar medications, like apriso, colazal, pentasa or asacol?

Apriso and Colazal are both capsules. They are bigger and require more pills per day. So, for me, I preferred Lialda over both of them. Asacol I liked, but I took it before there was an HD version and it was a ton of pills per day. I think Lialda was my favorite. It's definitely a personal preference, but also it depends what works well for you. I never tried Pentasa but i've read that it's formulated to open earlier, which is supposed to make it less effective for UC vs. Crohn's.

most colon-release mesalamines are expensive.

6mp is generic, but a step up

I recently had to change from Lialda to Asacol HD. Had flare symptoms 3 days later, my GI increased Asacol HD dose, so for me Asacol HD was less effective. You can read up on the various meds by reading the sticky "Resources"--very helpful. Best.

OhMyGlutes said...
The cost of Lailda is a factor for me. Did you find it a hard transition when switching to different medications? Did you have to cycle off of Lailda?

Sometimes switching between different mesalamines is uneventful and easy, sometimes your symptoms worsen as all medications are slightly different in formulation, delayed-release Ph level, release point and distribution rate.

Nearly all the mesalamine medications are brandnamed and therefore very expensive. The patient copay assistance cards from the medication manufacturers are a godsend, sign up if you haven't already (m.lialda.com/lialda-savings.aspx). There are a few generic alternatives sulfasalazine and also balsalazide disodium (colazal).

Not sure what you mean by cycle-off. You don't need to do anything fancy. Once lialda runs out, start the new pill bottle. Pretty simple.

There's much to learn about your illness, become a sponge and learn what you can.