Mesalazine - when is best to take it?

[Jonathanyeah]

Hi - I was first diagnosed with UC 7 years ago. Was prescribed suppositories at the time which cleared it up within a week. I’ve been in remission for 7 years but recently had Covid and the symptoms started at the same time. I’m currently on Mesalazine suppositories, 1g per day. Been on them for approx 6 weeks so far with mixed results. The leaflet says to take before bed which I have been doing but the NHS website says after you do a poo. Does anyone have any experience of the best time to take them please?

[Valbaty54]

Bedtime is the usual time to use these, then they can get to work while you are sleeping. If it's also after a poo, even better!

[Bulldoguk]

hi I always find they work best taken before bed.

[bresbo]

Yes, I agree with the other respondents that bedtime is the best time. This is mostly because you are lying down and less likely to fart out the dissolved suppository which will be liquid and can make a mess. Also the prone position helps the mesalazine reach further up your rectum/bowel.

After doing a poo, is more a "nice to have". There's less point in shoving a medication that requires contact with bowel lining into a full rectum rather than into an empty one. If you think you can do a poo before bedtime, then do so; the suppository will work better.

However, another point. I'm kind of convinced these mesalazine suppositories help prevent a flare. But I'm definitely not convinced (in my case) that they're much use when I'm actually in a flare. If you've got symptoms, have you tried Budenofalk 2mg rectal foam? This works extremely well for me, and can stop a flare in its tracks. It's a steroid (budesonide) , but has far fewer side effects than prednisolone, and because it's being used topically, there are fewer side effects anyway.

Good luck!

[SoFedUp2023]

bed time is the best time so they can work whilst lay in bed. I’ve used Mesalazine, Prednisolone and Budesanide ones good luck.

[Jonathanyeah]

thanks for your replies everyone, very helpful 😎