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Mesalamine safe while pregnant?


Fri, September 18, 2009 1:51 PM

Has anyone gone through pregnancy while taking mesalamine?  Did everything end up OK - healthy baby?  I am currently taking "Lialda" (active ingredient: mesalamine) to control my UC.  I am hoping to be pregnant in the next year or so, but will not plan to have another child (my condition made its appearance after the birth of my daughter) if there are any risks whatsoever.  Lialda is "believed" to be safe while pregnant, but I would feel much better if someone had personal experience to draw from.  Please let me know if anyone has experienced pregnancy while taking mesalamine.  Thank you!

FPO algvail
Joined Sep 18, 2009

Thu, October 01, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for momofthree.

Thanks so much!  Your information helps a TON!  I really appreciate the help and support.  Have a great day.

FPO algvail
Joined Sep 18, 2009

Thu, October 01, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for algvail.

I was taking my medication ( Pentasa ) orally ( 8 pills a day ).  My flares during my pregnancy were the same as before I was pregnant.  I am not sure if all OB's would classify their patients as high risk.  In my case, my OB considered me high risk because I was not in remission, on medication, and experiencing flares during my pregnancy.  He wanted to make sure the baby was getting enough nutrients and growing properly.  I did go into labor 3 weeks early, although I am not sure if that was due to the UC or not.  I also have Crohn's, although not as severe as my UC.  Hope that helps. 

FPO momofthree
Joined Nov 10, 2008

Wed, September 30, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for durango18.

Thanks so much for sharing your personal experiences.  I appreciate it so much.  It's great to know I'm not alone! 

Momofthree, were you taking your medications during pregnancy orally, or rectally?  Lialda is available as an enema, and I was wondering if that's a safer route.

To the other young woman, trying to plan her family (sorry I forgot your screen name), my GI said that a flare-up can increase the chances of miscarriage during pregnancy, which is why it's safer to stay on the meds.

Thanks again for replying, ladies.

FPO algvail
Joined Sep 18, 2009

Tue, September 29, 2009 2:09 PM

 Reply posted for momofthree.

Thanks for posting this message, this puts my mind more at ease.  I really  want to have a healthy baby next year.  Its kind of discouraging when I see a little blood and mucous in the toilet.  I have been taking Lialda for almost a year and it has a tendency to work on and off.  I was very pleased with Asacol, but I was taking it for so long and think my body got use to it.  When you were pregnant, were your flares any different that if you weren't pregnant?  Why were you high risk? Is every woman with ulcerative colitis pregnant considered as a high risk pregnancy?  Please shed some light for us women looking to having children soon that is dealing with ulcerative colitis.

FPO durango18
Joined Sep 24, 2008

Sun, September 27, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for algvail.

Hi Ladies, I hope I can help put your mind at ease.  I was diagnosed with UC a year before I conceived my 3rd child.  I was on Pentasa ( mesalamine ) my entire pregnancy, and I still had some nasty flares during that time. My OB and GI both strongly suggested I stay on the medication, as the disease can cause more harm than the medication.  I was followed very closely by my OB, and had several ultrasounds to check to make sure the baby was growing properly. I only gained 15lbs with my pregnancy, and the baby was a healthy 7lbs.  I was also considered high risk during my pregnancy.  So, in my experience, I had a great outcome, a healthy baby!  He is now 14 months and doing great, driving his siblings crazy!   I am now on Lialada, although it doesn't seem to be working.  I am trying to look into new diets to control my flares.  Hope that helps!

FPO momofthree
Joined Nov 10, 2008

Tue, September 22, 2009 12:20 PM

 Reply posted for algvail.

Hi,

I really hope someone answers your question because I am in the same situation.  I'm a young female in my mid 20's looking to conceive late 2010.  I have been taking Lialda for a year now and it seens to work off and on.  I have heard that once you conceive you should continue taking the Lialda.  My main fear is trying to conceive and being pregnant with ulcerative colitis.  Is there anyone that can reach out to us and give us some healthy tips and advice.

FPO durango18
Joined Sep 24, 2008

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