February 4, 2008
Balsalazide (Generic for Colazal) Now Available
Generic versions of the popular drug Colazal, commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are now available; just ask your pharmacist.
I got a pleasent surprise today when I refilled my monthly prescription: instead of the normal $45 for Colazal, my pharmacist gave me a the generic balsalazide disodium, which was free under my prescription plan. At times I've paid over $300 for a month's supply of Colazal, so this is good news for those with Crohn's and colitis.
Salix, owner's of the original patent for Colazal, had convinced the FDA to extend their exclusive rights to manufacture the drug. And just as their exclusive rights to Colazal expired, Salix submitted an application to the FDA for a new colitis drug.
It's always good when drugs finally go generic. Sadly, I am allergic to Colazal and all the 5-ASA's...
Posted by: ALG at February 4, 2008 9:03 AMIt's always good when drugs finally go generic. Sadly, I am allergic to Colazal and all the 5-ASA's...
Posted by: ALG at February 4, 2008 9:04 AMSorry for the double-post up there.
A few people have written to me asking for more details. One person whom I tried to respond to has a very powerful spam filter that wouldn't let me through.
So, short story: Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in May 2007, Colazal (I think that's what I started with) worked great for the first month, missed a few days, when I started the Colazal again, my symptoms got worse. Then I tried a whole bunch of other 5-ASA's, and the ulcerative colitis got worse and worse. (This lasted about five months.) Finally, the gastroenterologist figured that I might be allergic to the whole class of drugs--apparently 1% of people are and it makes their symptoms worse. (It's hard to tell, though, if it's an allergy or the disease progressing.) I stopped them and felt almost totally better within 24 hours. I haven't been back on any drugs since then (November), and haven't had symptoms. UC is cyclical, though, so if it comes back (lo aleinu), the gastro said that I would try a steroid.
I sympathize with all of those who suffer with these ailments.
Posted by: ALG at February 4, 2008 3:50 PMI had something similar happen with Asacol; I was doing fine on it, stopped taking it for a while (because I'm lazy), and had a flare up. Went back on and found that it no longer worked, and things got worse. Then I switched to Colazal and that did work. Nothing about allergies though.
Good luck, hope things remain good.
Posted by: Greg at February 4, 2008 4:05 PM
