Introduction
Medication for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) can help control your symptoms. The goals of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy are to reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms, maintain remission, and prevent flare–ups. It's important to remember that, for your medication to
do its job, you must take it as prescribed. IBD is a chronic disease, therefore long–term treatment will likely be necessary, and you need to take your medication even if you are feeling well. This newsletter will describe the many effective drugs available and provide tips for taking your
medicine.
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What is the standard treatment for IBD?
When it comes to IBD, each person responds differently to treatment, and medication is therefore tailored to your specific situation. Because there is
no "one–size–fits–all" medication, what works well for one person may not work for another. What's more, people vary with respect
to the side effects they may experience and the kinds of side effects they are willing to tolerate. Finally, different people prefer different methods
of medication administration, e.g., pills, liquid suspension, injection, suppository, or enema. Your doctor's recommendation will depend on your
symptoms, the severity and the course of your disease, and your prognosis. You may find that you need to try several different medications before
figuring out what works best for you. It is important to keep track of how well your medication is working for you and report any concerns to your
doctor.
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What types of medication might my doctor consider?
· Aminosalicylates
If you have mild to moderate IBD, aminosalicylates (e.g., mesalamine, sulfasalazine, olsalazine, and balsalazide) will likely be your first line of defense
for achieving and maintaining remission, in accordance with their FDA–approved indications. Aminosalicylates (which are also referred to
as 5–ASAs) decrease inflammation at the cellular level. Most are administered orally in dosages that require you to take a number of pills several
times each day. Mesalamine is also available as an enema (Rowasa®) or suppository (Canasa®), which can be inconvenient
to use, so many physicians will try to switch patients from these medications.
A major concern physicians have about mesalamines is that it is difficult for patients to take multiple pills at numerous times throughout the day. To
address this concern, new formulations have been created to allow for once daily dosing. For example, Apriso,™ a locally–acting
aminosalicylate indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in adults, is a mesalamine–based 5–ASA that uses a
patented technology to provide extended and delayed 5–ASA delivery. Apriso gradually distributes mesalamine throughout your entire colon in a once–a–day formulation – which can be a plus if you find it difficult to remember to take your pills. The following table describes
Apriso and other extended–and/or delayed–release 5–ASAs.
5-ASAs
| 5-ASA | Delayed Controlled Release | Extended Release | Once Daily |
|
Apriso™1 |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
Asacol®2 |
x |
|
|
|
|
Colazal®3 |
x |
|
|
|
|
Lialda™4 |
x |
|
|
x |
|
Pentasa®5 |
|
x |
|
|
References
· Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are powerful, fast–acting anti–inflammatory drugs that suppress the immune system. They are generally used to treat disease
flare–ups in people with moderate to severe, active IBD. Unfortunately, steroids do not prevent flare–ups and, in our opinion,
they should not be taken chronically.
When taken orally, corticosteroids like prednisone, methylprednisone, and hydrocortisone have systemic effects – they affect more than just your gastrointestinal tract.
Other oral options, like budesonide, have minimal systemic effects because they are metabolized by your liver.
If your healthcare provider prescribes oral corticosteroids, but you continue to experience local symptoms (e.g., urgency, rectal bleeding, or passing only gas when you feel
like you need to pass stool) your physician may prescribe a local mesalamine enema or corticosteroid enema (e.g., budesonide).
Corticosteroids are prescribed only for short periods of time, due to side effects which can include risk of infection, bone loss, diabetes, weight gain,
high blood pressure, mood swings and insomnia, and increased facial hair. To minimize side effects, your dosage should decrease once your symptoms
are under control. Once you have taken corticosteroids for more than ten to fourteen days, be careful to gradually decrease your dosage instead of suddenly going "cold turkey."
Stopping too quickly can cause feelings of weakness, lightheadedness, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
It may also result in a flare of your symptoms.
If you are prescribed corticosteroids, it is important to monitor your caloric intake, since corticosteroids can increase your appetite. Maintaining a
healthy weight will decrease your risk for developing diabetes and high blood pressure.
· Immunomodulators
Your doctor may prescribe immunomodulators if you 1) do not respond to other medications, 2) frequently need to use corticosteroids, 3) have side effects
with corticosteroids, or 4) have perianal disease or fistulas that don't respond to antibiotics. Like corticosteroids, immunomodulators also suppress
the immune system. Some can take up to six months to have their full effect, but others are faster acting. To speed up their effect, immunomodulators
are sometimes combined with lower than normal doses of steroids. Immunomodulators can be administered orally (azathioprine, 6–mercaptopurine)
or by injection (methotrexate or cyclosporine). Side effects may include risk of infection, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Your physician
will monitor your blood counts and liver tests when you take these medications.
· Antibiotics
Antibiotics are typically used to treat CD, but not UC. They may be particularly effective if you have fistulas or abscesses. Antibiotics can help control
your symptoms by decreasing intestinal bacteria and suppressing your immune system. They are most often taken orally (e.g., ciprofloxacin or metronidazole), but
can also be injected (ciprofloxacin or metronidazole). If your symptoms are successfully treated with antibiotics, your doctor may
prescribe them as maintenance therapy. Side effects can include headaches, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
· Biologic Therapies
Biologic therapies are genetically engineered medications that interfere with your body's inflammatory response. Unlike most immunosuppressive medication,
biologic therapies act selectively instead of systemically. There are two categories of biologic therapies, anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti–TNF)
therapy and integrin receptor agonists. Anti–TNF therapy (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, and pegol) works by binding
to and inactivating a protein that is responsible for intestinal inflammation. Infliximab is administered by intravenous infusion over a period
of two to three hours. Adalimumab and certolizumab are given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin. Side effects include injection site reactions,
risk of infection, headaches, rashes, and nausea. Integrin receptor agonists (e.g., natalizumab) work by binding to cells that play a role in
inflammation. Because of potentially serious side effects (e.g., neurological disease, allergic reactions, and increased infection risk), if you take
natalizumab, you must enroll in a special FDA monitoring program.
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Is it ok to take medication for IBD if I am also taking other medication?
With the exception of sulfasalazine, which can react with other sulfa drugs, it is unlikely that your IBD medication will interact with other medication
you are taking. However, since drug interactions can cause side effects or either decrease or intensify drug activity, it is always important to tell your
doctor about any other prescription or over–the–counter medication. Be sure to also mention any vitamin or herbal supplements.
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What should I do if my medication makes me feel sick?
Don't suffer unnecessarily – talk to your doctor. It is sometimes difficult to know if you are experiencing a disease symptom or the side effect
of a medication. Be sure to contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Severe joint pain
- Tingling in your hands or feet
- Dizziness or fainting
- Chills or sweating
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your lips, tongue, or face
- Hives
- Severe worsening of symptoms
- Severe headache or blurred vision
Here is a good rule of thumb: If a new symptom occurs after beginning a medication, stop taking the medication and call your physician.
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Why do I have to take my medication even when I feel fine? Why not wait until I feel a flare–up coming?
Once your symptoms are under control and you are feeling well, you may think that your disease is cured and you can cut back on your medication or stop
taking it completely. But, unfortunately, there is currently no cure for IBD. Studies show that continuing to take your medication, even when you
are feeling fine, decreases your risk of relapse, disease progression, and colorectal cancer (if you have UC), and increases your quality of life.
For more information, refer to the newsletter titled "Staying on Medication – Your Health Depends on It" by Dr. Stephen Hanauer.
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How can I remember to take my medicine, especially when I'm in remission?
If you find that it's challenging to remember to take your medication, especially when you're in remission, there are a number of strategies you can try
to help you remember. For example:
- Take your medication at the same time(s) each day. You can use a Mind Your Meds chart to help you keep track.
- Use pill boxes to organize daily doses.
- Keep your medication visible – on the counter instead of in a drawer.
- Use electronics to your advantage – program your watch, cell phone, or computer to remind you.
If you are having trouble remembering to take your medication, be honest with your doctor. Try asking for advice about improving your compliance and if
there might be a similar medication that is easier for you to take. Also be sure to refill your prescriptions – it's no good remembering to
take your medication if you've run out. Your pharmacy may have a refill reminder program. Again, for more information, refer to the newsletter titled
"Staying on Medication – Your Health Depends on It" by Dr. Stephen Hanauer.
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Conclusion
There are many medications for treating the symptoms of IBD that will allow you to live life to its fullest. Always be sure to check with your healthcare
provider about which options are most appropriate for you. Remember that every patient is different and that your needs may change over time.
What's more, each year, another group of drugs enters the research pipeline, and new and improved medications make their debut in the pharmacy.
It is important to keep up–to–date about all of the treatment options available, and reading this newsletter is a great first step.
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