Ulcerative colitis is a gastrointestinal disease that mainly affects the large intestine, especially the colon. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may be caused by an abnormal response from the body’s immune system.
Clinical features of ulcerative colitis may include abdominal pain/discomfort/cramps, persistent diarrhea, or hematochezia (blood in the stool). In some people with symptoms may be constant, but in others, they may aggravate during flare-ups.
There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, but certain types of medicines can manage the symptoms.
Generic drugs for ulcerative colitis usually belong to five classes of pharmacological agents, such as:
Aminosalicylates (5-ASA)
Also called 5-ASA drugs, aminosalicylates help reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis by decreasing the inflammation in the colon. These drugs are usually recommended to people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. And they even help prevent flare-ups or reduce the number of flare-ups. Common examples of 5-ASA drugs are:
- Mesalamine (Generic Delzicol)
- Olsalazine (Generic Dipentum)
- Balsalazide (Generic Colazal)
- Sulfasalazine (Generic Azulfidine)
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids typically decrease the body’s overall immune system response, reducing inflammation in the body. These drugs are advised to treat patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Corticosteroids for this condition include:
- Budesonide (Generic Uceris)
- Prednisone (Generic Intensol, Generic Rayos)
- Methylprednisolone (Generic Medrol, Generic Depo-Medrol)
Immunomodulator drugs
Immunomodulators decrease the body’s response to its own immune system, lowering inflammation throughout your body. These drugs may also reduce the number of flare-ups. Immunomodulators are prescribed to those who fail to respond to 5-ASA drugs and corticosteroids. Generic immunomodulators for ulcerative colitis include:
- Methotrexate (Generic Trexall)
- Azathioprine (Generic Azasan, Generic Imuran)
- Mercaptopurine (Generic Purixan)
- Tacrolimus (Generic Prograf)
Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors
JAK inhibitors decrease the body’s immune response, blocking signals that lead to inflammation. These drugs are used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. JAK inhibitors tend to work more quickly than other drugs. JAK inhibitors for ulcerative colitis include:
- Tofacitinib (Generic Xeljanz)
Biologics
Biologics are the drugs that are genetically designed and developed in a lab using a living organism. These drugs prevent certain proteins in your body from causing inflammation, according to Healthline. Doctors may prescribe biologics to people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, such as:
- Adalimumab (Humira)
- Golimumab (Simponi)
- Infliximab (Remicade)
- Ustekinumab (Stelara)
- Vedolizumab (Entyvio)
Other generic drugs may include certain antibiotics to treat infectious ulcerative colitis, loperamide (Generic Imodium), NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen)
