•  
• Rethink UC Remission
• Taking Lialda
• Living with UC
• Ulcerative Colitis Basics
• Connect 2 More Support Program

Discussing Ulcerative Colitis with Your Doctor

One of the most important parts of any successful treatment plan for ulcerative colitis (UC) is a good working relationship with your doctor. UC affects everyone differently, and your doctor can't fully understand how you're doing unless you talk about your UC symptoms.

The results of a survey of doctors and patients illustrate this. While nearly 50% of doctors thought their patients' symptoms were under control, only 21% of patients felt this was true. This could be due to the fact that 34% of patients said they are sometimes reluctant to tell their doctor about flare-ups.

By helping your doctor understand your experience with UC, you may be better able to get your condition under control and achieve remission.

Bring a list of questions to your next appointment. Use this interactive guide to help you prepare ahead.

What you ask—and tell—your doctor can help you get the care you need.

UC affects each person differently, including what symptoms you have and how bad they are. That’s why it’s important for your doctor to know how you feel about your experience with UC.

Use this customized guide to help you prepare for your next appointment and make the most of your time with your doctor.

Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this printout.

Rethinking remission

Remission is about more than symptom control. Doctors realize that if inflammation in your colon is ongoing, symptoms may return. However, when inflammation is reduced, you may see a reduction in symptoms.

Relief of symptoms and healing of the colon lining by reducing inflammation are both considered goals of UC treatment, according to the American Gastroenterological Association Guidelines.

About Lialda^® (mesalamine)

Lialda is the first and only once-daily oral mesalamine proven to control symptoms and begin to heal the lining of the colon by reducing inflammation.

As with all medications, Lialda may not be effective for everyone. In clinical trials, people taking Lialda who achieved remission had:

• No rectal bleeding
• Significant decrease in trips to the bathroom
• Reduced inflammation in the lining of the colon

Lialda is approved for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. The safety and effectiveness of Lialda have been established in 2 eight-week clinical trials.

Find out more about Lialda at Lialda.com.

Important Safety Information

You should not take Lialda if you are allergic to salicylates (including mesalamine or aspirin) or to any of the ingredients of Lialda. Tell your doctor if you have a stomach blockage or are allergic to sulfasalazine. Mesalamine has been associated with a syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from an ulcerative colitis flare-up. If you experience cramping, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache, or rash, talk to your doctor immediately. Some patients taking mesalamine have reported heart-related hypersensitivity reactions, such as inflammation of the heart muscle and inflammation of the lining of the heart. Tell your doctor if you have problems with your liver or kidneys.

In worldwide clinical trials, Lialda was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events were headache and flatulence. As with other medications, some serious side effects may occur. Less than 1% of patients experienced inflammation of the pancreas, which led to discontinuation of therapy with Lialda.

Full Prescribing Information is available at Lialda.com

Lialda^® is a registered trademark of Shire LLC. MMX^® is a registered trademark owned by Cosmo Technologies Ltd, Ireland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA.

^© 2010 Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087

LIA-01364 02/10

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Talk to Your Doctor About UC

Talk to Your Doctor About Lialda

What Your Doctor Should Be Asking You

Ask these questions during your doctor's visit.

Ask these questions during your doctor's visit.

Answer these questions before your doctor's visit.

• Add to Guide
• Suggested Questions

• How often should I see you?

• Will I need to see any other doctors or specialists?

• Can stress cause a flare?

• Should I eat or avoid certain foods when I’m going through a flare?

• Are there activities or exercises that can relieve or reduce my symptoms?

• Should I be concerned about taking too much medicine?

• Why do you order these specific tests? How often will I need to repeat them?

• What are my treatment options for ulcerative colitis?

• Why did you choose this specific treatment?

• What changes should I expect when I start treatment?

• What should be the goals of my treatment?

• What are the consequences of not treating my ulcerative colitis symptoms?

• Are there any new developments in treating ulcerative colitis?

• Can you recommend any educational resources about ulcerative colitis?

• How can Lialda help me control symptoms of a flare-up?

• What kind of medicine is Lialda?

• What are the most common side effects associated with Lialda?

• What should I do if I experience side effects with Lialda?

• How long will it take before I may see results with Lialda?

• Could Lialda interact with other medicines I am taking?

• How often do I need to take Lialda?

• What happens if I don’t take my medication as prescribed?

• What symptoms are you experiencing?

• How many times have you flared in the last 6 months?

• How often do you have flares?

• When was your most recent flare?

• How long did your most recent flare last?

• During a flare, how many bowel movements do you have per day?

• Do you have bleeding with bowel movements?

• Do you often have abdominal pain or cramping?

• How do you feel between flares?

• Are you experiencing symptoms between flares?

• How do your ulcerative colitis symptoms affect you?

• Have you made adjustments to your diet because of ulcerative colitis?

• Do you lack energy or feel tired during a flare?

• Has your sleep been disturbed by ulcerative colitis symptoms?

• When you are not flaring, are you worried about when the next flare-up may occur?

• Have you stopped certain activities due to ulcerative colitis symptoms?

• Are you taking your ulcerative colitis medication as prescribed?

• If you are not taking your medication as prescribed, why not?

• Are you experiencing any side effects from your medication?

• Overall, how satisfied are you with your current ulcerative colitis medication?

• Overall, how satisfied are you with how your ulcerative colitis is being managed?

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Lialda is approved for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. The safety and effectiveness of Lialda have been established in 2 eight-week clinical trials.

Important Safety Information

You should not take Lialda if you are allergic to salicylates (including mesalamine or aspirin) or to any of the ingredients of Lialda. Tell your doctor if you have a stomach blockage or are allergic to sulfasalazine. Mesalamine has been associated with a syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from an ulcerative colitis flare-up. If you experience cramping, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache or rash, talk to your doctor immediately. Some patients taking mesalamine have reported heart-related hypersensitivity reactions, such as inflammation of the heart muscle and inflammation of the lining of the heart. Tell your doctor if you have problems with your liver or kidneys.

In worldwide clinical trials, Lialda was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events were headache and flatulence. As with other medications, some serious side effects may occur. Less than 1% of patients experienced inflammation of the pancreas, which led to discontinuation of therapy with Lialda.

Please see Lialda Full Prescribing Information

©2010 LIA-01364 02/10
Lialda^® is a registered trademark of Shire LLC. MMX^® is a registered trademark owned by Cosmo Technologies Ltd, Ireland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA.
© 2010 Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087 (800) 828-2088. All rights reserved.

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