Crohn's / Ulcerative Colitis Patients: Asacol vs. Lialda?

My daughter, who has Crohn's Disease, was recently switched from Asacol to Lialda, mainly for insurance reasons. I would be curious to hear if any other patients have made this switch. If so, did your symptoms improve, worsen or stay the same? Thanks!

hi elisabeth, I am a female crohnie and have had it since the age of 12. Lialda is used for ppl who have UC only.

I would have your daughter's GI call the insurance company and explain that to them that they can't be playing Russian roulette with her illness. They don't have a clue what we go through or how certain drugs affect us. Pentasa and Rowasa are other forms of Asacol that can be substituted and may be cheaper depending on your insurance plan.

I would definitely speak to her GI and see if she can obtain some samples before switching over to another medication that may/may not work. I have been in her shoes where I'd get a letter stating that I should be on this drug, etc. etc. so I'd call them and state that I've tried drug A and it didn't work, drug B gave me serious side effects so there is no way I would listen to them. I trust my GI more than I trust them. If they were still pushy, I'd tell them that I would work w/the doctor to see if there is a similar treatment that was cheaper but if not, I would stick to what is keeping me out of the hospital and saving them $$$. What they don't understand is if these newer meds keep us in remission, they should pay for it no matter what because if we wind up as an inpt., that will cost them alot of $$$ than the newer treatment. Bottom line---they don't care about us. We have to be our own advocate. Sad but true.

I use to do billing at a local hospital and it just floored me as to how these insurance companies can turn a profit at the expense of sick people like us.

Is she a candidate for the newer treatments such as Entocort, Remicade, or Humira? For more information on the latest treatments check out the website for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. They have a live chat as well as a hotline for pts. and their family members M-F 9 am - 5 pm (EST) that is run by healthcare professionals.

Feel free to email me with any questions. It's been over 20 yrs. and I have learned alot from life experience as well as my billing experience.