What drugs are used to treat ulcerative colitis ?
Three main types of drugs are most commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis : aminosalicylates, corticosteroids
(steroids) and immunosuppressants. Aminosalicylates are the first treatment option for mild to
moderate UC. If your condition is more severe or is not responding to aminosalicylates, then
steroids may be used. If your condition is still not responding to treatment or if you wish to stop
steroids because of side effects, you may be offered immunosuppressants. Occasionally, a
fourth type of drug – biologics – is used for severe cases of ulcerative colitis . These are also known as
Anti-TNF (Tumour Necrosis Factor) drugs.
There are different ways of taking these drugs, depending on which part of your colon is affected or
depending on your preference. For some people, a combination of topical (applied just to the affected
area) and oral (by mouth) treatment may be suggested. Aminosalicylates and corticosteroids can be
taken topically as suppositories or liquid or foam enemas, or orally as tablets, capsules or granules.
If your ulcerative colitis is limited to the rectum you can use suppositories or foam enemas. If you have distal
colitis affecting the first part of the colon, the sigmoid colon, you can use liquid or foam enemas.
However, if the disease is further round in the descending colon, liquid enemas are needed. If you
cannot or do not like to use suppositories or enemas you can take medication orally. If you have
extensive or total colitis, you will need to take medication orally, as enemas will not reach this part of
the large bowel. Special coatings on some steroids and aminosalicylates help the drug to be
released in the affected part of the bowel. Immunosuppressant drugs are taken orally. If you are in
hospital with a severe flare up, corticosteroids (usually hydrocortisone) or immunosuppressants,
such as ciclosporin, may be given by intravenous drip (an injection directly into a vein). The biologic
used for ulcerative colitis is given in hospital by infusion.
All drugs can have unwanted side effects, but not everybody gets them. If you do, the more
common ones usually improve as your body gets used to a drug. Some possible side-effects
are listed here and you can check the manufacturer’s information provided with your medicine
for extra details. You can also get more information about drugs from our booklet: Drugs used
in IBD and our information sheets: Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine; Ciclosporin; Infliximab
and Taking Medicines for IBD.
The following table gives you details of the various types of drugs used to reduce inflammation:
Three main types of drugs are most commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis : aminosalicylates, corticosteroids
(steroids) and immunosuppressants. Aminosalicylates are the first treatment option for mild to
moderate UC. If your condition is more severe or is not responding to aminosalicylates, then
steroids may be used. If your condition is still not responding to treatment or if you wish to stop
steroids because of side effects, you may be offered immunosuppressants. Occasionally, a
fourth type of drug – biologics – is used for severe cases of ulcerative colitis . These are also known as
Anti-TNF (Tumour Necrosis Factor) drugs.
There are different ways of taking these drugs, depending on which part of your colon is affected or
depending on your preference. For some people, a combination of topical (applied just to the affected
area) and oral (by mouth) treatment may be suggested. Aminosalicylates and corticosteroids can be
taken topically as suppositories or liquid or foam enemas, or orally as tablets, capsules or granules.
If your ulcerative colitis is limited to the rectum you can use suppositories or foam enemas. If you have distal
colitis affecting the first part of the colon, the sigmoid colon, you can use liquid or foam enemas.
However, if the disease is further round in the descending colon, liquid enemas are needed. If you
cannot or do not like to use suppositories or enemas you can take medication orally. If you have
extensive or total colitis, you will need to take medication orally, as enemas will not reach this part of
the large bowel. Special coatings on some steroids and aminosalicylates help the drug to be
released in the affected part of the bowel. Immunosuppressant drugs are taken orally. If you are in
hospital with a severe flare up, corticosteroids (usually hydrocortisone) or immunosuppressants,
such as ciclosporin, may be given by intravenous drip (an injection directly into a vein). The biologic
used for ulcerative colitis is given in hospital by infusion.
All drugs can have unwanted side effects, but not everybody gets them. If you do, the more
common ones usually improve as your body gets used to a drug. Some possible side-effects
are listed here and you can check the manufacturer’s information provided with your medicine
for extra details. You can also get more information about drugs from our booklet: Drugs used
in IBD and our information sheets: Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine; Ciclosporin; Infliximab
and Taking Medicines for IBD.
The following table gives you details of the various types of drugs used to reduce inflammation:
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