Salicylate Anti-inflammatory Medications
Initial drug therapy for ulcerative colitis usually includes aminosalicylate medications. These drugs reduce inflammation in the colon.

Salicylate anti-inflammatory medications used to treat ulcerative colitis include:

• Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
• Mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Lialda)
• Olsalazine (Dipentum)
• Balsalazide (Colazal)

Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid medications have been used successfully to prevent episodes of ulcerative colitis. However, long-term therapy with corticosteroids increases the risk of side effects.

Corticosteroid medications used to treat ulcerative colitis include:

• Prednisone
• Methylprednisolone (Medrol)

Immunomodulator Drugs
Immunosuppressants and immunomodulator drugs are used in those who are unable to undergo surgery for ulcerative colitis.

Immunomodulator drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis include:

• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Mercaptopurine (Purinethol)
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Inhibitors
Tumor necrosis factor stimulates inflammation. Drugs that inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may help control the inflammation of ulcerative colitis.

Tumor necrosis factor Inhibitors used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis include:

• Infliximab (Remicade)

Antidiarrheal Agents
Antidiarrheal agents may be used to help control diarrhea. These medications require careful monitoring because they may trigger toxic megacolon, a potentially fatal complication.

Antidiarrheal agents used to treat ulcerative colitis include:

• Loperamide (Imodium)
• Diphenoxylate-atropine (Lomotil)

Antibiotics
Episodes of ulcerative colitis may be triggered by bacterial infections.

Antibiotics used to treat ulcerative colitis include:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)