Need advice please
Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 2014. Stable on Pentasa slow release granules 2G daily.
Now admitted to hospital with suspected minor heart attack. Doctors want to start me on a variety of pills including aspirin and Lansoprazole which is a stomach sparer. My problem is that as it will stop acid production in my stomach this will create an alkaline environment. Slow release pentasa needs an alkaline environment to work which it would generally find in the large intestine. Surely if he stomach is now alkaline the pentasa (mesalazine) would release there and so be of no use where it is needed.. not getting much help from the doctors who look at me as if I have a screw loose… they dont seem to understand what the problem is…. The aspirin I know too is not good for UC but they say it absolutely necessary and tel me there is no alternative………………
Hi
. Your concerns about making sure your medication will remain effective is certainly understandable. I want to note that we are not medical professionals and, for your protection, cannot offer medical advice over the internet. I did find this research article on the combined use of pantoprazole (an acid reducer) and Asacol (an alkaline released mesalazine) to keep patients from passing intact Asacol pills: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6986402/. In this study it does not seem that a reduction of stomach acid was an issue, as it seems the pH level needs to get quite low to release the medication. Of course, only a doctor could determine if the acid reducer could be an issue in your case. You deserve an adequate explanation/answer to your questions and please don't hesitate to insist on it. Hoping you get some answers and reduce this extra stressor in your life. Please feel free, if you like, to keep us posted on how you are doing. Best, Richard (Team Member)
