Microscopic colitis: a therapeutic challenge.

Abstract

The treatment of microscopic colitis is mainly based on the use of budesonide, the only drug found effective in controlled clinical trials. After an initial course at a dose of 9 mg daily, however, most patients relapse when the drug is discontinued, hence a maintenance therapy at doses of 6 mg daily or lower is necessary. In order to avoid steroid dependence and drug toxicity different pharmacological agents should be considered as an alternative to indefinite long-term budesonide treatment. Evidence-based guidelines are currently lacking due to the lack of conclusive data concerning the use of either immunosuppressive or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. For the time being in clinical practice the skilled physician should therefore tailor long term management of microscopic colitis on the single patient.

• Authors: Mario Guslandi
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 19 Issue 23 Pg. 3531-3 (Jun 21 2013) ISSN: 2219-2840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23801853 (Publication Type: Editorial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Budesonide

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Budesonide (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Colitis, Microscopic (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage)
• Recurrence
• Remission Induction
• Risk Factors
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome