Ulcerative Colitis Medications
Ulcerative Colitis Medications
Many people with ulcerative colitis need medication to reduce inflammation, prevent flare-ups, and ease their symptoms. Since treatment is unique for everyone, some people need to try different meds or a combination of them before they start to feel better.
Over-the-counter Options
Over-the-counter medications can be helpful when your symptoms aren't too severe. You can try diarrhea meds like loperamide and pain relievers like ibuprofen. You can also find supplements to prevent bleeding and spasms. Always check with your doctor to see which over-the-counter medication may work for you.
Lowering Inflammation
Aminosalicylates, aka 5-ASA drugs, like mesalamine or sulfasalazine, reduce gut inflammation. These are common choices for those with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis because they help control symptoms and can keep you in remission. If these don't work, you can try targeted small-molecule meds like tofacitinib and upadacitinib.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, like budesonide and prednisone, help manage flare-ups by suppressing your immune system. They lower inflammation quickly but are usually used as short-term options because of the potential side effects.
Options for Severe Cases
If other meds don't work, your doctor may suggest immunomodulators like azathioprine and mercaptopurine to control symptoms. You can also try biologics like adalimumab and infliximab to reduce inflammation and heal your colon. However, because of the potential side effects, these are often a last resort and require regular monitoring.