Ulcerative colitis is called an inflammatory bowel disease. The inflammation starts at the rectum and migrates upwards, penetrating through two layers of the intestines along the way. People with ulcerative colitis have inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon that can cause abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Complications of ulcerative colitis can involve other parts of the body, as well. Individuals with the condition may also develop a skin disease, arthritis, and inflammation in the spine, pelvis and biliary structures. There are several medications available, which are either anti-inflammatory and suppress the immune response, or treat the diarrhea.
5-ASA Medications
The abbreviation 5-ASA stands for 5-aminosalicylate. This drug group includes the medications sulfasalazine and mesalamine. According to Robert Burakoff, M.D. in "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy," sulfasalazine was the first 5-ASA medication used for ulcerative colitis. But the sulfa part of the medication resulted in side effects that include headache, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. Pharmacologists then developed mesalamine. It is now the primary medication for mild and moderate ulcerative colitis and is an anti-inflammatory.
Azathioprine
According to David Sachar, M.D.in The Merck Manual, people take azathioprine when they have the moderate form of this disease. This medication is broken down to substances that interfere with the T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune response. By interfering with the T cells, azathioprine suppresses the immune response.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are hormones that are made in the outer part of the adrenal gland, or adrenal cortex. Like the 5-ASA medications, corticosteroids also inhibit the inflammation of ulcerative colitis. This medication stimulates the production of proteins that are anti-inflammatory, and also suppresses those proteins that are proinflammatory. In "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy," Dr. Burakoff writes that prednisone and methylprednisolone are two corticosteroids used in ulcerative colitis.
Infliximab
Crohn's disease is another inflammatory bowel disease. People with Crohn's have used infliximab as one of their medications for several years. It is now used as a medication for ulcerative colitis, according to Dr. Burakoff. Infliximab is an antibody that fights against a substance called TNF. TNF is a protein that is secreted by various types of cells. It is pro-inflammatory and is supposed to regulate the immune response. Infliximab suppresses TNF, which in turn suppresses the immune response.
Loperamide
In the Merck Manual, Dr. Sachar explains that loperamide is used as a medication for diarrhea. Receptors are protein molecules in cells or on cell membranes that wait for instructions that tell them what to do. Loperamide stimulates the opioid receptors in the muscles of the intestines. This decreases the movement of the intestines, so food takes more time to pass through. In this way, it is a medication to combat the diarrhea associate with ulcerative colitis.
References
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy"; Norton Greenberger, M.D.; 2009
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Ulcerative Colitis
