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Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Treatment Options
Currently there is no cure for UC, but the following treatments help manage the symptoms, according to the American College of Gastroenterology:
- Aminosalicylates: This class of drugs, including mesalamine and sulfasalazine, contain 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) to help control inflammation. 5-ASAs are the treatment of choice for mild to moderate UC and most patients are treated with this group of drugs first.
- Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids suppress the inflammatory process in the colon. They may be used for patients with moderate to severe UC who have not responded to 5-ASA treatment. They are not recommended for long-term use because of negative side effects such as weight gain, acne, facial hair and mood swings.
- Immunomodulators: The medications in this class interrupt the immune system which plays an important role in the inflammatory symptoms of UC. Immunomodulators are usually prescribed for patients who have not responded to 5-ASAs or corticosteroids. These drugs are slow-acting and can take up to six months to reach their full benefit.
- Biologics therapies: Biologics interfere with the body's inflammatory response in IBD by targeting particular enzymes and proteins that have already been proven defective, deficient, or excessive in infections (such as sinus infections and sore throat), headache, rash, coughing, and stomach pain. Some rare, but serious side effects of these therapies have been reported, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, lymphoma and heart failure.
- Surgical Options: If drug therapy does not alleviate symptoms, surgery may be necessary to remove the colon and rectum. Approximately 25% to 40% of UC patients have their colons removed.
How Lialda Can Help
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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 Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe | For Health Care Professionals
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