Medication Guide: Allopathic Medicine for Ulcerative Colitis Patients

Anti-inflammatory medicines are the first step in treating inflammation in the intestines. These medicines can prove to be effective for people suffering from ulcerative colitis. Anti-inflammatory medicines include -

• 5 Aminosalicylates - Aminosalicylates medicines can prove to be effective for ulcerative colitis. Actually, ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation in the digestive system or cause ulcers. In such a situation, if aminosalicylates medicine is taken, then serious diseases can be avoided. Aminosalicylates medicines include sulfasalazine, mesalamine and balsalazide.
• Corticosteroids - Corticosteroid medicines include prednisone and budesonide. These medicines can be used to treat severe ulcerative colitis. These medicines should not be taken for a long time, otherwise serious side effects can be seen.

(Read more - Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

Immune system suppressive medicines can also prove effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. These medicines can help reduce inflammation. The combination of anti-inflammatory and immune system suppressive medicines can work well. Immunosuppressant medicines include -

• Azathioprine and mercaptopurine - These medicines can be effective in treating inflammation in the intestines. These medicines are used as immunosuppressants. Consult a doctor before taking these medicines. In this situation, the doctor can do a blood test to know the effect or side effects of these medicines on your liver and pancreas.
• Cyclosporine - Cyclosporine medicine can also be taken to treat inflammation in the intestines. Cyclosporine can be effective for people who are not affected by other medicines. This medicine can have serious side effects, so it should not be taken for a long time.
• Tofacitinib - Tofacitinib is also called a small molecule. This medicine causes the process of inflammation to stop. When other medicines do not work in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, tofacitinib can be effective. Taking this medicine for a long time can also increase the risk of herpes infection and blood clots. Not only this, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), taking tofacitinib can increase the risk of heart problems and cancer. Therefore, do not take this medicine without consulting a doctor.

(Read more - Decoding Digestive Disorders: IBS vs IBD)

Biologics can also be used to treat ulcerative colitis. These medicines work on proteins made by the immune system -

• Infliximab, Adalimumab and Golimumab - These medicines can also be used to treat ulcerative colitis i.e. inflammation in the intestines. These medicines are called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors or biologics. These medicines work to neutralize the proteins made by the immune system. These medicines can be used for people with severe ulcerative colitis.
• Vedolizumab - If someone has inflammation in the intestines, then Vedolizumab medicine can be taken. These medicines prove to be very effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. These medicines prevent inflammatory cells from going to the site of inflammation.
• Ustekinumab - Ustekinumab medicine works by blocking such proteins, which cause inflammation. Therefore, if there is inflammation in the intestines, then Ustekinumab medicine can be used.

(Read more - Colon infection: types, symptoms)

Some other medicines may also be needed to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, which are as follows

• Anti diarrheal medicines - These medicines can prove to be effective in diarrhea, but these medicines should be used with utmost caution, because these medicines can increase the size of the colon.
• Painkillers - If you feel mild pain, you can also take painkillers. For this, acetaminophen medicine can be taken, but ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and diclofenac sodium should not be taken. These medicines can increase the severity of symptoms.
• Antispasmodic - Sometimes cramps can also be felt in case of ulcerative colitis. In such a situation, the doctor can prescribe antispasmodic medicine.
• Iron supplements - Sometimes bleeding also starts from the intestines due to ulceration. In this situation, iron deficiency starts and anemia can occur. In such a situation, iron supplements can be taken. This will increase the blood in the body.

(Read more - Ulcer: types, symptoms, causes)