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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/22/2013 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys -

So I'm literally in my GI's office as I'm writing this. I've heard such wonderful things about Uceris and I approached my dr. about taking this vs. the prednisone and he said that even though it is delay released it is primarily absorbed in the small intestine and since I have my UC throughout my entire colon it wouldn't be affected. He said if it was primarily higher, he would consider it.

Is this anything like you've experienced? He wants to start me on Humera after this flare is under control. I want to cry. I'm only 24, this medicine isn't even as old as me.

How do you convince yourself that you should be taking something as strong as Humera when you don't even know the long term effects??
Posted 7/22/2013 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
hm...I'm not a doctor...but my GI told me uceris get released in the large intestine/colon...NOT the small intestine.

I've been taking it for about 3 weeks or so....don't think it's really working for me....but I would def give uceris a shot before taking Humira, and personally I'd probably go 6mp before Humira also. But again, I'm no doctor. :)
Posted 7/22/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Unreal. Can I have your doctor? I'm on 6mp now..100mgs.

Maybe that is why it isn't working for you??

Where is everyone else's UC in their colon and what did your doctors say about the absorption of the medicine?
Posted 7/22/2013 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
As far as I know, if you have UC you have it in the colon, if it's in the small intestine it's probably Crohns. If your doctor is right this makes uceris not a UC medication, but a crohns medication....which would make even the name of the medicine misleading. :)
Posted 7/22/2013 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I started Uceris 6 days ago. Because my inflammation was so bad, my GI had me do a 10 day course of prednisone at 40mg, and on the 9th day of that course I started the Uceris. So today is my fourth day on Uceris alone. It's working as far as I can tell. I'm not sure how high up my inflammation goes as my GI only went up 26cm with the flex sig, so at least that far.
Doesn't sound like your GI understands how Uceris works.
Posted 7/22/2013 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
See below:

Budesonide has a high topical glucocorticosteroid (GCS) activity and a substantial first-pass elimination. The formulation contains budesonide in an extended release tablet core. The tablet core is enteric coated to protect dissolution in gastric juice which delays budesonide release until exposure to a pH ≥ 7 in the small intestine. Upon disintegration of the coating, the core matrix provides extended release of budesonide in a time dependent manner.

http://www.rxlist.com/uceris-drug/clinical-pharmacology.htm

I am now SO CONFUSED! It even says here that it is absorbed in the small intestine with pH > 7. The colon normally (Not sure about in UC pts) has a pH ranging from 5.5-7 if I recall correctly from my Physio days.

Any other insight??
Posted 7/22/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's just saying that the coating dissolves in the small intestine, then the time-release "matrix" ensures it is released in the colon.
Posted 7/22/2013 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Uceris is for Ulercerative Colitis specifically - it's whole purpose is to treat the colon. Don't get too caught up in ph's and pharmacology - Uceris is definitely a UC medication!
Posted 7/22/2013 8:02 PM (GMT 0)

blonde0724 said...
See below:


I am now SO CONFUSED! It even says here that it is absorbed in the small intestine with pH > 7. The colon normally (Not sure about in UC pts) has a pH ranging from 5.5-7 if I recall correctly from my Physio days.

Any other insight??

UCERIS uses MMX® technology, which targets delivery of budesonide throughout the full length of the colon. Targeted delivery is possible because UCERIS does not dissolve until it reaches the colon.

Clink link for video

www.uceris.com/hcp/about-uceris.asp
Posted 7/23/2013 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
My Dr. recently told me something similar and I cried in front of her I was so upset. She also said I can't take Uceris forever and need to make a decision about what to take after Uceris because it's not a permanent drug. I don't know what I'm going to do but I will probably try FT if the SCD diet doesn't seem to work and I'm out of the drug. Good luck.
Posted 7/23/2013 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
The doctor that performed my son's FT's said that UC patients can stay on Uceris for longer than 8 weeks but he didn't give a specific amount of time. I'm a little confused on why patients can't stay on it for longer periods of time if it is absorbed in the colon and not in the bloodstream.
Posted 7/23/2013 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Doesn't make sense to me that many, many people take prednisone for months and even years and yet they don't want you to take Uceris for more than 8 weeks. Long term Uceris has got to be better than long term pred. I also don't see why that after 8 weeks you you can't just take Uceris some days and not others, like once or twice per week to retain remission.
Posted 7/23/2013 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I agree...it can't be as bad as Prednisone, Remicade, or Humira. I don't see the harm in using it longer than 8 weeks.
Posted 7/23/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Good points Garylouisville and Herbgarden. I may talk to my Dr. about using it as a maintenance drug as this is what has worked the best by far and costs too much to take on a daily basis permanently.
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