Drugs to Treat Ulcerative Colitis

Definition

Together with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis is one of the chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract: the target of ulcerative colitis is the large intestine (rectum and colon) where it affects only the superficial layers of the internal intestinal walls.

Causes

Currently, no certain and definitive triggering cause has been identified: therapy is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms that characterize ulcerative colitis can be of various degrees: asthenia, weight loss, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, general malaise, mucorrhea, blood in the stool, night sweats, constipation. The most frightening complication of ulcerative colitis is toxic megacolon (the colon becomes paralyzed, and any passage of gas or material is denied).

Diet and Nutrition

Natural Cures

The information on Ulcerative Colitis - Drugs for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between the health professional and the patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Ulcerative Colitis - Drugs to Treat Ulcerative Colitis.

Medicines

Since ulcerative colitis is one of the main causes of colorectal cancer, it is first of all necessary to exclude a neoplasm by careful diagnosis (colonoscopy). A light diet and abundant fluid intake is always recommended:

Aminosilicates

Balsalazide (eg Balzide): recommended in case of mild or moderate ulcerative colitis. Take orally 2250 mg of the drug three times a day for 8-12 weeks. For children who have already completed the fifth year of age, the dosage can be reduced up to 750 mg of active ingredient, but the intake must be repeated three times a day, for 8 weeks.
Mesalazine or 5-aminosalicylic acid (eg Asacol, Claversal): it is recommended to take 0.75 to 1.5 g of active ingredient rectally in the form of suppositories, in divided doses, or a 2-gram dose of rectal foam before bedtime. Repeat the application twice when necessary. Alternatively, take 2.4 g of drug per day, in divided doses.
Olsalazine (eg. Dipentum): for acute ulcerative colitis, take 500-1,000 mg of active ingredient per day, divided into two doses (preferably after meals). If necessary, increase the dosage to 3 grams per day for a maximum of one week. Maintenance therapy is important: 500 mg of drug twice a day after meals, as established by the treating physician.
Sulfasalazine (eg Salazopyrin EN): is a drug combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and sulfapyridine. Take 0.5-1 g of the drug rectally (suppositories) in the morning and in the evening after evacuation. The active ingredient is also available in the form of enemas: administer 3 g in the evening: keep the active ingredient for at least one " Now. Alternatively, take 1-2 g of drug orally, repeating the operation up to 4 times a day

Immunosuppressants

CiclosporinaA (eg Sandimmun Neoral): take 4mg / kg per day by continuous intravenous route. The dose must be gradually reduced; therapy should generally be continued for 7-14 days. Maintenance therapy (3-6 months) is also important.
Azathioprine (eg. Immunoprin, Azafor): administer intravenously a variable dose from 20 to 40 mg / kg (infusion period: 36 hours) or 40 mg / kg every 8 hours, followed by an oral administration of the same active ingredient ( 2 mg / kg daily starting the day immediately following the intravenous loading dose).

Glucocorticoids: can be administered rectally (topical action) or systemically (oral or intravenous).

Hydrocortisone (eg Locoidon, Colifoam): take 100 mg of drug (rectal suspension) in the evening for 21 days or for symptom relief to occur. In severe cases, therapy can be continued for 2 or 3 months. When the treatment does not give results within 2-3 weeks, stop taking the drug. When the therapy lasts more than 21 days, slowly decrease the dosage before stopping the treatment. Consult your doctor.
budesonide (eg Biben, Pulmaxan): rectally, apply one enema a day, containing 2% budesonide, in the evening for 4 weeks.
prednisone (eg. Deltacortene, Lodotra): take 20-40 mg per day in a single dose or divided into several doses. It is also possible to take the drug rectally: a 20 mg enema in the evening for 2-4 weeks.

If there is no response to drug therapies, patients with ulcerative colitis should undergo surgical colon resection.

In case of ulcerative colitis, the patient should follow a healthy and balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids and play sports:

abolish of spicy, spicy foods
avoid sodas, tea, wine, and coffee
do not eat chocolate
limit the consumption of dairy products
take probiotics
prefer refined foods (avoid introducing too many fibers)

By following these simple steps, patients with a history of ulcerative colitis can prevent relapse. It is recommended to follow these rules also during drug therapy against ulcerative colitis.