| [ Summary ] |
Standard medical treatment for ulcerative colitis includes 5-aminosalicylic compounds and corticosteroids. Although both drugs have proved effective for ulcerative colitis, immunosuppressive drugs are needed for patients who are either refractory or intolerant to traditional medical therapy. 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine have been shown to be effective in ulcerative colitis even when used at low doses. Serious side effects are very rare. Their optimal effect is, however, reached only after a few months of treatment. Therefore, they are not suitable for treating the acute phase of the disease. In contrast, cyclosporine has a rapid onset of action. It has successfully been used in the treatment of severe active ulcerative colitis refractory to intravenous corticosteroids. However, long-term efficacy of cyclosporine is questionable, and the side effects become significant with long-term use. With adequate understanding of the characteristics of such immunomodulating agents, the combination of conventional drugs and immunosuppressive agents leads to better management of refractory ulcerative colitis cases. |