Drugs for ulcerative colitis (UC) can deal with and stop flares, however they will additionally include some uncomfortable negative effects. For instance, immunomodulators like azathioprine (Azasan) lower UC irritation by suppressing the immune system, however this impact is linked to an elevated danger of infections.
Some negative effects could also be momentary and go away with time. But when uncomfortable negative effects persist, it’s essential to let your physician know. They could tweak your remedy routine or recommend different methods to handle the negative effects.
Listed below are seven of the most typical UC remedy negative effects and ideas for coping with them.
1. Upset Abdomen
UC drugs could cause an upset abdomen as a result of they have an effect on the liner of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, says Adam Pont, MD, a gastroenterologist in personal observe in New York Metropolis. “Primarily all UC meds have nausea, vomiting, and upset abdomen as potential negative effects,” he says.
Methods to handle it: Should you expertise an upset abdomen after taking your UC drugs, inform your healthcare supplier, who can modify your dose if wanted, says Dr. Pont. “Be sure you are taking it accurately,” he says. Pont additionally typically recommends anti-nausea or acid-reducing remedy and suggests consuming small, extra frequent meals and staying well-hydrated to alleviate this aspect impact.
2. Tiredness
3. Headache
Different UC meds, like aminosalicylates, biologics, immunomodulators, and artificial small molecules, can provoke complications in those that are delicate to their elements or due to basic results on the immune system, says Pont.
Methods to handle it: Pont recommends staying hydrated and taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headache ache, however urges anybody with persistent complications after taking UC drugs to inform their supplier.
“If complications persist, it’s essential to test for different attainable causes, akin to dehydration or dietary deficiencies,” says Dhere.
4. Pores and skin Issues
Methods to handle it: Should you’re having persistent pores and skin issues, you could need to see a dermatologist, who can prescribe pores and skin ointments to assist handle remedy reactions or assess in case your pores and skin situation is said to your underlying UC, says Dhere. “Typically switching to a different agent akin to ustekinumab (Stelara) or risankizumab (Skyrizi) is required to handle psoriasis whether it is extreme, as these brokers can deal with each ulcerative colitis and psoriasis,” she says.
For infusion or injection web site reactions, Pont recommends rotating the injection web site with every dose to reduce irritation. “You’ll be able to pretreat the injection web site with a cooling alcohol spray, or apply a chilly pack after injection,” he says.
If IV infusions immediate a pores and skin response, your supplier might sluggish or cease it. If the response stays gentle, they could suggest taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an antihistamine, earlier than your subsequent dose to reduce negative effects, says Dhere.
5. Elevated Danger of An infection
“Biologic brokers akin to infliximab (Remicade), vedolizumab (Entyvio), and ustekinumab (Stelara) in addition to oral remedy that may suppress the immune system, akin to prednisone and upadacitinib (Rinvoq), can enhance the chance of infections, says Dhere, though the speed of significant infections is kind of low.
Methods to handle it: To reduce your an infection danger, Pont recommends getting any vaccines you could want, sporting a surgical face masks in public, and avoiding crowds throughout peak flu season.
“There are a number of vaccines obtainable to assist stop a few of these infections, together with flu, pneumonia, shingles, and COVID,” says Dhere. “You will need to work together with your healthcare supplier to make sure you are up-to-date with all of your vaccines,” says Dhere.
6. Psychological Well being Issues
Methods to handle it: Should you discover new psychological well being signs after beginning a UC remedy, inform your supplier instantly. They will help you monitor these negative effects and modify your meds if wanted.
7. Cardiovascular Issues
The Takeaway
- Drugs used to deal with ulcerative colitis (UC) could cause some disagreeable negative effects that modify in severity.
- UC remedy negative effects can embrace upset abdomen, complications, tiredness, pores and skin adjustments, an infection, psychological well being challenges, and coronary heart points.
- You’ll be able to handle these negative effects by working together with your supplier to regulate drugs or make sure way of life adjustments.
