asacol

How long does Mesalamine stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of mesalamine is about 7 to 9 hours (apparent terminal half-life) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the apparent TERMINAL (elimination) half-life of mesalamine (5-ASA) itself, from the delayed-release tablet label after 2.4 g and 4.8 g doses; the per-dose table gives terminal-phase means of 8.56 h (1.2 g), 7.05 h (2.4 g) and 7.25 h (4.8 g), with very large between-person variability (standard deviations of 5-8 hours). Metabolite: the label reports the apparent terminal half-life of the major metabolite, N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid (N-Ac-5-ASA), as 8 to 12 hours — longer than the parent. Mesalamine suppository labels describe N-Ac-5-ASA as "the active metabolite," so the active material can persist somewhat longer than the parent figure alone suggests. Timing caveat: these are delayed-release oral products designed to release drug in the terminal ileum and colon, so absorption is slow and highly variable (median Tmax ~9-24 h depending on product, longer with a high-fat meal) — plasma drug can still be rising many hours after the dose, and the half-life alone does not describe how long drug is present. Older adults: increased age slows apparent elimination — terminal half-life averaged 5.68 h in subjects 18-35 vs 9.68 h at 65-75 and 8.67 h at 75+, with roughly 2-fold higher Cmax. Kidney impairment: the label states systemic exposure is inversely correlated with renal function (lower creatinine clearance, higher exposure); mesalamine is cleared mainly by the kidney as N-Ac-5-ASA. Liver impairment: this label does not state a hepatic-impairment half-life. Mesalamine is not a prodrug (it is the active moiety; sulfasalazine and balsalazide are prodrugs of it). Not a drug-test detection window and not dosing guidance.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: Mesalamine delayed-release tablets — FDA label, 12.3 Pharmacokinetics (DailyMed, Camber Pharmaceuticals, eff. 2024-02-15).

Frequently asked questions

What does Asacol treat?

Asacol (Mesalamine) may be used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, sigmoid diseases, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How does Asacol work?

Asacol is a aminosalicylate. Aminosalicylates (5-ASA drugs like mesalamine) act directly on the inflamed lining of the colon, where they are thought to calm the local inflammatory response by blocking several inflammation-driving chemicals and mopping up tissue-damaging free radicals, which helps the gut heal in ulcerative colitis.

How much does Asacol cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $26.72 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Azulfidine En-Tabs — about $5.92 on the same basis.

Is there a coupon or discount for Asacol?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Asacol. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Asacol?

Asacol is marketed by Apil. You can see Apil's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Asacol a brand-name or generic drug?

Asacol is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Mesalamine. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Mesalamine are available — ask your pharmacist.

Is Asacol available over the counter?

No. Asacol is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Asacol come in?

Asacol is currently marketed as tablet, delayed release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Asacol?

Asacol is classified as aminosalicylate, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Asacol FDA-registered?

Asacol is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA019651. You can verify this on its official FDA label.