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Is entocort as effective as prednisone

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/12/2012 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Just got back from my GI and flex sig showed i still had severe inflamation, i have only been taking asacol HD since i was diagnosed about 3 months ago. I tried prednisone but just couldn't handle the side effects. Anyways my doctor started me on lialda 3 pills a day and entocort 9mg a day. He said entocort is similar to pred but with less side effects. My question is has anyone had success in treating their UC with entocort and did they experience any side effects while on it. Also about how long does it take to see results. Thanks!!


22 male
dx pancolitis
tried asacol hd no effect
just started lialda 3 pills daily and entocort 9mg daily
iron,probiotics,slippery elm,vitamin c

Post Edited (moose2012) : 7/11/2012 7:19:12 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/12/2012 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I believe a lot of people have had success with it. Unfortunately, I don't think it's quite as effective as prednisone. Let's just hope it works for you. You could also try adding some rectal meds, that may help you to pull through.
Posted 7/12/2012 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I was on budesonide (entocort) for about month and it did nothing for me :/. The dr. took me off of it since nothing changed. I didn't have any side effects from it though! Good luck! I hope it works for you if you decide to go with it.
Posted 7/12/2012 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
notsosicklygirl my doctor has never brought up the use of rectal meds, but i have read a lot of people have success with them, is it something that the doctor needs to prescribe or is it something i can buy over the counter. Also any preference on which one is the most effective?
Posted 7/12/2012 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Entocort did absolutely nothing for me...didn't help at all
Posted 7/12/2012 2:15 AM (GMT 0)

moose2012 said...
notsosicklygirl my doctor has never brought up the use of rectal meds, but i have read a lot of people have success with them, is it something that the doctor needs to prescribe or is it something i can buy over the counter. Also any preference on which one is the most effective?

I know this wasn't directed towards me, but figured I would chime in. Rectal meds are prescription. There are many different types - many use the rowasa enema, which is a mesalamines med. I can't tolerate mesalamines, so haven't used it. Seems to be the preferred. There is is also cortifoam, which is a steroid foam that is easier to keep in. There are hydrocortisone enemas and suppositories as well. Definitely talk to your dr about them!
Posted 7/12/2012 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gottago, good info. I agree, Rowasa is great for maintenance but many people like steroid foam or enemas if they are struggling with symptoms. It's pretty individual which works better for each person.
Posted 7/12/2012 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
Entocort failed me too-

Carlie
Posted 7/12/2012 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
In regard to rectal meds: the foams treat the anus only, are more effective for hemorrhoids than anything else. Suppositories are easy to use and treat the rectum only. Enemas, while a bit more difficult to get used to, treat the rectal area and sigmoid colon. So which would be prescribed should be determined by how high your inflammation goes.

In a nutshell, mesalamine (Asacol) is a topical med that works through direct physical contact with the colon wall. Unfortunately, most of it is absorbed before it gets to the end of the colon so it may be less effective in the recto-sigmoid area. The rectal medications provide treatment to this area that Asacol may miss.

Many doctors are hesitant to prescribe rectal meds because so many patients are non-compliant with them. It does take a bit of getting used to, sticking something up your bum, but they can be very effective for a lot of us. Good luck!
Posted 7/13/2012 7:24 AM (GMT 0)
This is my second time around for Entocort. During my last flare my GI wrote me a script for pred again. I had been through a rough time on prednisone. I had all the side effects and even with a low maint. dose. After I complained, he put me back on Entocort again. In a matter of days, I had stools like I hadn't seen for years. I seemed to go into remission as never before. Then another hammer hit. A flu from hell hit me causing severe throat pain, and made my asthma flare. My allergist gave me a round of antibiotics and we all know what happens to the gut on that. I'm over the flu but my gut is in a strange state. I treated my flare with Canasa and got my rear end in better shape. So, now I'm still on Entocort and Colazal but nothing is improving. I can't explain what's going on. My lower rear end problems are minor but my stools are loose and bloody. My whole gut is sore with occasional stabbing pains. Mornings are the worst as I have to go quickly to the toilet multiple times to get rid of the day before. I don't dare leave the house until I'm sure nothing is left in the lower end. My GI called this morning and rescheduled my appt. till later this month. Bummer. I want to find out what's going on. I'm concerned with the pain, blood, and gas in what seems the whole gut. Wondering if this is a progression of the UC and if so, why isn't my rear end flaring too.
Posted 7/16/2012 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I been on both Pred and Entocort at the same time. I think together it helped but after a while it was easier to ween off the Entocort first. still working on the Pred taper.
Posted 7/16/2012 5:03 PM (GMT 0)

i was on entocort for 3 mons and it did nothing to help.

wiped out: if you were on abx you should get some probiotics, jarrows sach boulardi is a good one. 

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