Medications
We have several medications to use for ulcerative colitis, and the choice depends on the doctor’s evaluation. These medications include:
- Aminosalicylates, such as sulfasalazine, are anti-inflammatory agents with significant effects on ulcerative colitis. They are the first choice in mild and moderate cases. You can take them as suppositories, enemas, and oral forms. The route of administration depends on the disease’s extent.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, might be used if the aminosalicylates failed to control the symptoms (moderate to severe cases). Due to their several side effects, their usage should be for a short period.
- If the previous anti-inflammatory agents didn’t give the desired response, your doctor might use immune system suppressors, such as azathioprine. These medications reduce inflammation by suppressing immune functions, which can lead to severe side effects. They take some time to work. Also, these drugs need frequent evaluation to notice any of their side effects.
- Biologics, such as infliximab, also may be a choice in severe cases and those that don’t respond to the previous medications. But, they also need close monitoring due to their several severe side effects.
- Symptomatic treatment includes:
- Antidiarrheal agents
- Analgesics
- Antispasmodics
- Antibiotics (for infections)
- Iron supplementation (for anemia)
Only take what the doctor prescribed to you because these medications may cause severe adverse effects, and your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits according to your case.
- Surgery
It cures ulcerative colitis, but it requires removing the entire colon and rectum, which may need you to wear a bag to collect your stool through an opening in your abdomen. In some cases, the surgeons can make a pouch from the end of the small intestine and attach it to the anus.
Surgery may be urgent and necessary, such as in:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Perforated colon
- Toxic megacolon resistant to the medical treatment
- Severe attacks that don’t respond to medical treatment
- Suspected cancer
Other than life-threatening conditions, surgery is elective, depending on your case. Your doctor will decide the best surgical procedure for you, either total removal of colon and rectum, colon only, or only part of the colon.
Finally
As you can see, ulcerative colitis has no standard treatment for all cases. Commit to the plan of your doctor. Also, revise your doctor for any new complaints or worsening because you may need to change the treatment due to poor effects or side effects. An efficient control plan means better quality of life and a low risk of life-threatening complications.