Ulcerative Colitis (UC) | Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Treatment for ulcerative colitis is different from one child to another. What helps one patient may not help another. Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends upon many things:

The goal of treatment is to:

Some patients go into remission (the symptoms of ulcerative colitis go away). However, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to come back (a "flare").

Several different types of medicines may be used to help control the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Each helps decrease theswelling in the lining of the colon.

Anti-inflammatory drugs (aminosalicylates or 5-ASA drugs) are usually used to treat mild to medium symptoms. Some examples are Asacol HD, Pentasa, Lialda, Apriso and Colazal.

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, help to put a patient with medium to severe symptoms into remission. These drugs are not good to use for a long time because of side effects.

Drugs that suppress or quiet the immune system (immunomodulators) are used in medium to severeulcerative colitis to help patients stay in remission. Some examples are Imuran (azathioprine), purinethol (6-MP) and methotrexate.

Antibiotics may also be used to treat bacteria in the small intestine that can keep the inflammation going. Some examples are Flagyl (metronidazole), Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Rifaxamin.

Biologics are a newer drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating medium to severeulcerative colitis that does not respond to the other medications. This medicine is given through a vein (intravenously) or as an injection.

Most patients with ulcerative colitis do not need surgery. When medicine does not work, about 20 percent to 30 percent of patients must have surgery. Ulcerative colitis is cured when the colon is removed.

The most common type of surgery is restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastamosis. This is the removal of the entire colon, then creating a pouch to hold waste prior to having a bowel movement.

Patients can live normal and active lives after surgery.

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Ulcerative Colitis (UC) | Symptoms, Causes & Treatment