Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a relapsing-remitting course that determines significant morbidity and can associate with local complications and/or extra-intestinal manifestations. Pharmacological therapies are often required for a lifetime with possible risks of toxicity and side effects. Areas covered: Non-biological therapies (i.e. aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs) are widely used in UC patients for controlling the active phases of the disease and maintaining remission. Expert Opinion: Aminosalycilates have a good safety profile with a low risk of idiosyncrasic reactions. In contrast, the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs can associate with unacceptable side effects, some of which are potentially life threatening. Mechanisms underlying the development of these side effects are not fully understood and strategies aimed to prevent them have not yet been standardized. However, clinicians should monitor the patients during therapy to recognize the adverse events at an early stage of the occurrence. New drugs that selectively target molecules involved in the amplification of the ongoing mucosal inflammation are currently under investigation. Preliminary data indicate that such compounds have better overall safety and tolerability than corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.
Keywords: Aminosalicylates; Corticosteroids; Immunomodulators; Inflammatory bowel disease; Thiopurines.