How is Ulcerative Colitis treated?

The management of the disease includes treating symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, pain, anemia, etc. This treatment does not affect the basic disease but is important in making the patient feel better and function better.

There are several drugs that have a beneficial effect by reducing inflammation of the bowel. The most commonly used medications to treat UC are oral 5-ASAs -- mesalamine (e.g. Asacol & Asacol 800, Salofalk, Pentasa, Mesasal) and olsalazine (e.g. Dipentum). The oral tablets are formulated to release the active medication in the colon and allow the drug to calm the inflamed mucosa. They have an established safety profile and are well tolerated. These medications are approved to treat active UC flares and some are also approved for maintaining remission It is important for you to understand how to take this medication properly, ask your doctor or pharmacist about dosing restrictions (eg.: food, water, missed doses etc)

Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone, have a significant role to play but are usually reserved for more serious exacerbations of ulcerative colitis. In more resistant cases, immuno-suppressive drugs or biologics can be used. These are typically used as second line therapy as physicians must weigh the risk to benefit for the individual patient.

In patients with ongoing active disease that fails to respond to all forms of management, surgery may be indicated. If surgery is necessary, the whole colon usually must be removed.