Compare Asacol vs. Sulfasalazine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats inflammatory bowel disease.
Lialda (Mesalamine) is an effective first-line medicine for inflammatory bowel disease. There isn't a generic version and you'll have to take it multiple times a day.
Reduces inflammation.
Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine) is used to treat moderate to severe inflammatory bowel conditions. It's also used with other medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Upsides
- Effective first-line medication for treating and lowering the symptoms of mild inflammatory bowel disease.
- About half the people who have mild to moderate colon inflammation and take Lialda (Mesalamine) will see improvement.
- Available in tablets, capsules, enemas, and suppositories.
- Certain forms of Lialda (Mesalamine) can be used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, and you want to take Lialda (Mesalamine).
- Can slow down the progression of your rheumatoid arthritis.
- Helps control your stomach problems if you're taking it for ulcerative colitis.
Downsides
- No generic versions are available for the tablets, capsules, and suppositories (meaning it could be somewhat expensive).
- Doesn't work well for severe colon inflammation.
- You may need to take Lialda (Mesalamine) three or four times a day.
- Not a good option if you have kidney disease.
- Requires constant lab monitoring, at least every other week when you first start using it.
- Not a good option if you have kidney or liver disease.
- If you're allergic to sulfa drugs or aspirin, you can't take Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine).
- Can interfere with lab test results, so let your doctor know if you're taking this drug.
- Interacts with a lot of different drugs and can also cause many side effects.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Enema
- Suppository
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$95.30
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$279.33
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Side effects
35possible side effects
- Headache35%
- Abdominal pain18%
- Eructation16%
- Pain14%
- Nausea13%
- Pharyngitis11%
- Dizziness8%
- Asthenia7%
- Diarrhea7%
- Back pain7%
- Fever6%
- Rash6%
- Dyspepsia6%
- Rhinitis5%
- Arthralgia5%
- Hypertonia5%
- Vomiting5%
- Constipation5%
- Flatulence3%
- Dysmenorrhea3%
- Chest pain3%
- Chills3%
- Flu syndrome3%
- Peripheral edema3%
- Myalgia3%
- Sweating3%
- Colitis exacerbation3%
- Pruritus3%
- Adverse events3%
- Acne2%
- Increased cough2%
- Malaise2%
- Arthritis2%
- Conjunctivitis2%
- Insomnia2%
8possible side effects
- Nausea19%
- Stomach problems13%
- Rash13%
- Headache9%
- Stomach pain8%
- Vomiting8%
- Fever5%
- Dizziness4%
Risks and risk factors
- Serious allergic reactions
- Asthma
- Rhinitis
- Nasal polyps
- Aspirin allergy
- NSAID allergy
- Serious allergic reactions
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Worsening kidney or liver function
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Blood disorders
- Age 65 or older
- Liver toxicity
- Liver problems
- Worsening of colitis
- Taking Lialda (Mesalamine) at the start of treatment
- Kidney, liver, or blood problems
- Serious skin reactions
- Serious allergic reactions
- Serious infections
- Drug interactions