How Long Should Pentasa Be Taken To Cure Ulcerative Colitis Flare Up?

Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 Answered on

Sat, 3 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have recently had an Ulcerative Colitis flare - I've increased my daily intake of Pentasa from 2 x 1g to 4 x 1g - how many days should it take to calm the inflamation and eliminiate extreme feelings of urgency? Is there any other medication which compliments Pentasa?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Steroids are necessary to be added.... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history carefully and feel sorry for the situation you are in. Your ulcerative colitis is going through the acute stage during which steroids are necessary to be added along with Pentasa. I also advise to start antibiotics to cover infection problems that might be triggering ulcerative colitis flare up. You can discuss it further with your doctor to prescribe such medicines as you cannot take them as over-the-counter. It is important not to start or increase dose without your doctor's advice to avoid undesiderable effects. Diet is also important; I encourage to eat more banana, rice, apple sauce and toasted bread together with drinking lots of water. I also advise to take tasectan, probiotics to optimize intestinal flora together with O.R.S. to replace the lost fluids. Hope it was of help! Let me know if you have further queries! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (21 hours later)

Thank you for you information. I can't reach my doctor until 22nd April to get advice on steriods. In the meantime will increasing the dosage of Pentasa be of any help (currently take 4 x 1g tablets)? Are there other short term measures I can use to assist until I can see my doctor? I have access to Mutaflor Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 probiotic - is this suitable - the instructions mention it increases frquesncy but I've read on the net it is beneficial for UC sufferers? Looking forward to your reply

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Can continue probiotics&increase Pentasa dose... Detailed Answer: Hi back, Thank you for following up. Until your next appointment, you can increase the dose of Pentasa. That will help improve the symptoms. However, it will take time (several days) to see improvement. You can also continue taking probiotics as the one you are taking. I would advise to start antibiotics if available OTC in your country. If the symptoms will get worse (more intense pain and bloody diarrhea), should run to ER to get immediate medical assistance. Hope it answered your queries to your satisfaction! If yes, kindly rate my answer while closing this thread. Otherwise, I'll welcome any other question you might have! Thank you! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar