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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are There Any Cheaper Alternatives To Lialda Medicine?

I am prescribed 4 tablets of Lialda per day. After my $ 3000 yearly prescription allowance is done, if I continued taking at the prescribed levels it would be almost $ 9000 per year out-of-pocket, so I have been taking half of what has been prescribed in order to lower my costs. Are there cheaper alternatives to Lialda and why would my Doctor not prescribe the cheaper alternative for me?
Wed, 21 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi & Welcome.

Lialda (Mesalamine) is an aminosalicylate used in the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It is an effective medication with less side effects hence your doctor has prescribed you.
Other alternate effective but cheaper medications include Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate or Azathioprine.

Sulfasalazine can be effective in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but it has a number of side effects, including allergic reactions, digestive distress liver dysfunction, bone marrow suppression, and headache.

Methotrexate and Azathioprine are basically immunosuppressive drugs but they are found to be effective in the treatment however there is a risk of bone marrow suppression and stomach upset with these medications.

Other alternative effective drugs with less side effects include Olsalazarne or Balsalazide.

Hope these answer your query.

Best regards.
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Are There Any Cheaper Alternatives To Lialda Medicine?

Hi & Welcome. Lialda (Mesalamine) is an aminosalicylate used in the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It is an effective medication with less side effects hence your doctor has prescribed you. Other alternate effective but cheaper medications include Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate or Azathioprine. Sulfasalazine can be effective in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but it has a number of side effects, including allergic reactions, digestive distress liver dysfunction, bone marrow suppression, and headache. Methotrexate and Azathioprine are basically immunosuppressive drugs but they are found to be effective in the treatment however there is a risk of bone marrow suppression and stomach upset with these medications. Other alternative effective drugs with less side effects include Olsalazarne or Balsalazide. Hope these answer your query. Best regards.