What Medications are Used to Treat Ulcerative Proctitis?
The treatment of ulcerative proctitis depends on the extent of active disease, such as the severity of inflammation and the number of flare-ups you have had. Because ulcerative proctitis affects only the rectum, medications used to treat this disease are usually applied through the anus and directly to the rectum, as suppositories, enemas, or foams. If the inflammation becomes more severe, oral medications may also be prescribed by your physician. Ulcerative proctitis is a form of ulcerative colitis that affects only the rectum.
Medications used to treat ulcerative proctitis work by reducing inflammation.
The two main types of medication are:
Mesalamine (5-ASA)
These are anti-inflammatory medications such as mesalamine and sulfasalazine. The use of 5-ASA as rectal suppositories, such as CANASA® 1000 mg, is usually the first step in treating active ulcerative proctitis. Inserted into the rectum, 5-ASA suppositories are able to work directly on the area involved. Enemas with 5-ASA can also be used. Rectally administered medications have been shown to be the most rapid and effective way to treat ulcerative proctitis.1
Corticosteroids
These may include prednisone and hydrocortisone. Corticosteroids are also often used rectally as enemas or foam and can be used alone or along with 5-ASA. When inflammation is severe, corticosteroids are sometimes given in oral or intravenous forms.1
Information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of your physician(s). Please consider what you learn here a starting point for a conversation with your physician. All care of ulcerative proctitis and related conditions must be guided by the appropriate healthcare professional. CANASA® is a prescription drug; please ask your physician if CANASA® is right for you.
References
1.Regueiro MD. Diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative proctitis. J Clin Gastroenterol.2004;38(9): 733-740.
Canasa® is a prescription medication.
Indications and Usage
CANASA® 1000 mg suppositories are indicated for the treatment of active ulcerative proctitis.
You should not use CANASA® if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or to salicylates (including asprin or mesalamine also found in products such as Asacol®, Lialda®, and Rowasa®).
Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney problems, pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), pericarditis (inflamed sac around your heart), or if you are pregnant, or allergic to sulfasalazine, foods, preservatives or dyes. You should not breastfeed while using CANASA®. You and your doctor will decide if you should use CANASA®.
As with other products containing mesalamine, less common, but possibly serious side effects include cramps, sharp abdominal (stomach area) pain, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes fever, headache, and rash may occur. In rare cases, patients may experience symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. Stop use and tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms. In rare cases, patients using CANASA® develop worsening colitis (pancolitis). The most common side effects of CANASA® reported included: headache, gas or flatulence, and diarrhea.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the link for full US Prescribing Information