Growing up with ulcerative colitis

  • Always be prepared
  • Your child may find it difficult to deal with their ulcerative colitis (UC) at first. One thing you can do to help them cope with their condition is plan ahead.

    • Set aside time for bathroom breaks during activities
    • Carry a change of clothing, wipes, and toilet paper
    • Encourage your child to always find the restroom in public places
    • Practice ways to relieve anxiety and stress

    While your initial reaction may be to hide your child’s condition from family and friends, it may be more stressful for both of you to keep it a secret. Even though your child may be embarrassed, it’s important to inform close family members, friends, and teachers who help care for your child about their condition in case of any emergencies.

  • Talking with teachers
  • You can’t be with your child 24/7. Since most of their days are spent at school, it’s important to share your child’s ulcerative colitis (UC) with the right teachers and administrators. Make sure to discuss potential needs and accommodations with the school as early in the year as possible.

    A few things you may want to ask for:

    • Unlimited bathroom access: Create a plan that allows your child to take frequent bathroom breaks even during things like tests. Suggest a bathroom signal that attracts less attention.
    • Seating accommodations: Be sure your child can easily and discreetly exit the classroom from their seat.
    • Medication schedule: Establish a time for your child to take medications with the school nurse.
    • Tutoring and support: Frequent absences are common for children with UC. Tutoring as well as an extra set of books at home can help your child catch up on missed assignments.
    • Supplies on-hand: Get your child permission to carry and use supplies such as small snacks, candy to treat dry mouth, a water bottle, wet wipes, and a change of clothes throughout the day.
    • Private space: Designate a location, such as the nurse’s office, where your child can rest and change clothes.
    • Control over physical education: Get your child authorization to sit out of physical activities when he or she is not feeling well.
  • Stay active
  • Just because your child is diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), doesn’t mean he or she has to miss out on the activities they’re interested in—even during a flare-up. In fact, it’s important for your child to be as active as they can be to help relieve stress, build stronger muscles and bones, and boost their confidence. Whether it’s through sports, dance, or some other exercise or physical activity, make sure your child is well hydrated, comfortable, and having a good time.

    Adjustments may need to be made if a more strenuous activity begins to take a toll on your child or is unsafe. Talk to your doctor if you have any specific concerns about an activity.

  • Speaking with friends and family
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  • UC Resources
  • See More Important Risk Information

    What is DELZICOL?

    DELZICOL® (mesalamine) delayed-release capsules is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC) in patients 5 years of age and older and for the maintenance of remission of UC in adults.

    IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

    Do not take DELZICOL if you are:

    • Allergic to salicylates or aminosalicylates, such as aspirin or medications that contain aspirin
    • Allergic to any of the ingredients of DELZICOL

    Before taking DELZICOL, tell your doctor if you:

    • Have or have had kidney problems
    • Are allergic to sulfasalazine
    • Have or have had heart-related allergic reactions, such as inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis)
    • Take any iron-containing supplements
    • Have or have had liver problems
    • Have or have had a stomach blockage
    • Are pregnant, nursing, or are planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed
    • Have any other medical conditions

    Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking DELZICOL with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause kidney problems. Taking DELZICOL with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine may cause blood problems. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines. Your doctor may do certain tests during treatment with DELZICOL.

    What are the possible side effects of DELZICOL?

    DELZICOL may cause serious side effects, including:

    • Kidney Problems. Your doctor may check to see how your kidneys are working before taking DELZICOL.
    • Acute Intolerance Syndrome and Other Allergic Reactions. Some people who use DELZICOL can have allergic-type reactions, including acute intolerance syndrome. Other allergic reactions can cause heart problems, including an inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis), blood problems, and problems with other organs in the body, such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs. When this happens, it is usually in people who have had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine. Stop using DELZICOL and tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms: cramping, stomach (abdominal) pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache, chest pain, a decrease in the amount of your urine, shortness of breath, eye inflammation, fatigue, and rash.
    • Liver Failure. This can happen in people who have a history of liver problems and have taken other medicines that contain mesalamine. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms while using DELZICOL: yellowing of your eyes, itchy skin, feeling very tired, flu-like symptoms, nausea, or vomiting.
    • Serious Skin Reactions. Some people who use DELZICOL can have severe skin reactions. Stop using DELZICOL and tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of a severe skin reaction, including blisters or peeling of your skin, mouth sores, blisters on your lips or around your mouth or eyes, high fever or flu-like symptoms, enlarged lymph nodes, or skin rash.
    • Sun Sensitivity. DELZICOL can make your skin sensitive to the sun if you have skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema. Try to limit your time in the sun. You should use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in the sunlight.
    • Kidney Stones. Drink plenty of fluids when using DELZICOL to decrease your chance of getting kidney stones. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms: severe pain in your side or your back or blood in your urine.

    The most common side effects of DELZICOL include:

    • Adults: belching, stomachache, constipation, dizziness, runny nose, back pain, rash, upset stomach, and flu symptoms.
    • Children (5 to 17 years of age): inflammation of the nose and pharynx, headache, stomachache, dizziness, inflammation of the sinuses, rash, cough, diarrhea, tiredness, fever, and increased lipase.

    Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DELZICOL.

    You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

    If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

    Please see full Prescribing Information for DELZICOL.

    The product information provided on this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed on this site may have different product labeling outside of the United States.

    The health information described on this site is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for discussions with a healthcare provider.