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    Staying positive with ulcerative colitis

    • Steps to make living with ulcerative colitis easier

    • There's no way to deny it—living with ulcerative colitis (UC) can be difficult. Even with treatment, you will still experience flares from time to time, and it can be very discouraging.

      That's why it's important to take steps to keep a positive attitude. There are a number of things you can do right now to make living with UC easier, and to better handle things when the symptoms are at their worst.

      • Respect your feelings: It's OK to feel dispirited from time to time. Be sure to accept that you may feel down every so often, while acknowledging that things can get better.
      • Give yourself a break: Don't blame yourself if you have a flare. Whether it's because you think you ate the wrong thing or forgot to take your medication, sometimes flares will happen for no reason.
      • Stay who you are: Some people feel that they need to stop doing activities they love due to the possibility of a flare, and they withdraw from friends and family. But with the right management tools, you can feel more confident that UC doesn't have to dominate your life.
      • Celebrate your accomplishments: Sometimes, the smallest victories are the most important ones. Take time to recognize the everyday victories you achieve while living with UC, whether it's going a full day without a flare, sticking to your diet, or getting a chance to see friends.
      • Acknowledge your strength: Living with UC isn't easy. Appreciate the inner strength that you possess and that allows you to manage your condition from day to day.
    • Stress and ulcerative colitis

    • Everyone feels stress from time to time, but managing life’s expectations can be that much more stressful for people with ulcerative colitis (UC). The symptoms can be unpredictable, making everyday life more difficult to navigate.

      While there is no evidence that stress can cause UC, it may trigger a UC flare. So, reducing stress will be important for your overall health and mental well-being. Here are some things you can do to combat stress and make sure UC symptoms don’t overwhelm your life:

      • Make time for yourself: Be sure to put yourself at the top of your to-do list. Whether it’s setting aside time for a hobby, reading a good book, watching TV, or just relaxing, be sure to give yourself a break.
      • Learn new ways to de-stress: Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises to help alleviate the effects of daily stress.
      • Stay active: Physical activities such as light exercise and yoga have been shown to reduce stress and contribute to overall health.
      • Get organized: Utilize free organizational tools available online to better manage your day and get things done.
      • Ask for help: Reach out to friends, family, and your healthcare providers if your symptoms seem overwhelming.
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    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.