Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease that affects continuous stretches of the colon and rectum. It causes long term inflammation that can result in ulcers in the affected areas. There are a variety of medicines used to treat its debilitating effects and possibly bring remission, but there is currently no known cure.

There are several anti-inflammatory drugs that are preferred for treating ulcerative colitis. These drugs target the inflammation rather than the immune system.

Mesalamine, balsalazide and olsalazine come in oral, enema and suppository form. Which form is taken depends on the specific area of the colon that is affected by disease. In some cases, doctors may prescribe both oral and rectal forms. Mesalamine is capable of producing good results in over 90 percent of people with ulcerative colitis. It is also well tolerated compared to other classes of drugs. Side effects of all three drugs are rare and include headache, pancreatitis and kidney disorders.

Sulfasalazine and corticosteroids are other anti-inflammatory drugs that may be prescribed, but these are not preferred because of their larger array of side effects. Corticosteroids can cause problems ranging from high blood pressure to osteoporosis, while sulfasalzine is associated with nausea and other digestive problems.

Some drugs target the immune system to lower its ability to cause inflammation. The obvious downside is that these drugs make patients more susceptible to other diseases. These diseases include cancer as well as sickness caused by contagions. Therefore, most doctors will try an anti-inflammatory drug first.

Azathioprine, mercaptopurine, cyclosporine and infliximab are some of the top immunosuppressants used to treat ulcerative colitis. All of these drugs have serious side effects that can make them unsuitable for people with mild forms of the disease. For those whose only other option is surgery, however, they are likely to be given serious consideration as an alternative.

With all of the medicines that can be used to treat ulcerative colitis, surgery should be considered a last resort. It is often possible to achieve a great reduction in symptoms, if not full remission, with the proper medications.