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entocort for UC?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/12/2014 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
So, my GI has just prescribed that I begin taking Entocort to treat a flare that involves no diarrhea, no blood, just a lot of bloating and pain. He wants me to begin with 3 pills a day and then taper off. Not sure of the schedule until I get the prescription. I haven't tried any steroids as of yet, only sulfasalazine so I am a little worried about using the stronger medicine.

As I have been researching entocort this evening, it seems that it is primarily used for Chrons. My initial diagnosis 15 years ago was nonspecific chrons colitis. This summer proctitis was added after my colonoscopy. Do you think he prescribed that Entocort instead of Uceris because I might have Chrons instead of UC? Also I've read that some have developed Type II Diabetes and other problems while on Entocort. I already have several family members with Diabetes and sure don't want to head down that road too. I'm also worried about weight gain since I am already considerably overweight.

I guess I just need some reassurance that taking Entocort is what I need to try.
Posted 3/12/2014 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
my doc regularly prescribes entocort for UC. i think a lot of people on this forum have tried it. i didn't see any benefit from it but i had a bad reaction to it.

it could help so i'd give it a shot. i only lasted 3 days on it and my diarrhea and cramping got out of control.
Posted 3/12/2014 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
i have tried it a couple of times. sometimes it worked, others it didn't. although, i haven't had a bad reaction to it.
Posted 3/12/2014 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
I was just prescribed Uceris. But my GI sent the script over as generic... so they picked one.. and it was entocort. I did the same research and saw the Crohns thing. But if you inflammation throughout your colon is some places other than just your rectum... it should be pretty helpful still.

Steroids do have side effects. But it is said that you will have A LOT less from Uceris/Entocort than from Prednisone. It is def the lesser of two evils.

Don't be scared to give it a shot. And I do believe it is an 8 week steroid. No taper. Just 9mg a day (3 pills.) Steroids help A LOT of people get into remission.
So good luck to you!!! :)
Posted 3/12/2014 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
I asked the same question on this forum in January. Entocort worked great for my left-sided UC, but I had to quit it because of the side effects. Apparently my body does not like steroids, even those with supposedly few side effects.
Posted 3/12/2014 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Entocort and Uceris are different. Uceris comes in 9mg pills and is usually taken for 8 weeks with no taper. Entocort is usually 3mg pills (but can come in 6 & 9) and they usually prescribe 3 pills per day with a taper. I don't believe Entocort is automatically an 8 week course like Uceris is. Entocort is used more for Crohns because it works higher up around the small intestine so it won't do anything much for the large intestine or for proctitus. I think the major difference in prescribing between the two isn't really anything to do with UC or Crohns, but the location in your digestive tract that is effected. If it's higher up, like in the small intestine (where Crohns can be) then Entocort may be of more help. If it's farther down in the large intestine (as with UC) then Uceris would be of more help. Crohns can be in either or both areas but true UC isn't in the small intestine so, in most cases, Entocort would be almost useless for UC. I wouldn't worry about the side effects of either. In fact, sulfazine usually has more side effects. Having said that, I'm surprised your doc didn't increase your sulfazine dosage when in remission. If you were taking 8 pills per day during a flare, which helped, and only 2 pills per day while in remission, and those remissions did not hold, it's only logical to me that you should have been taking more than 2 pills per day while in remission.
Posted 3/12/2014 1:44 PM (GMT 0)

garylouisville said...
If it's higher up, like in the small intestine (where Crohns can be) then Entocort may be of more help. If it's farther down in the large intestine (as with UC) then Uceris would be of more help. Crohns can be in either or both areas but true UC isn't in the small intestine. I wouldn't worry about the side effects of either.

I have left-sided and Uceris didn't do a thing for me, whereas I saw dramatic improvement with Entocort within 36 hours. Just the opposite of your suggestion.

My side effects from both included skin-eruptions, insomnia, ear pressure change, ready infection of a small finger cut, bloody snot, and an initial feeling of euphoria. I understand I'm in the minority, but sugar pills they're not.
Posted 3/12/2014 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Budesonide is not useless for UC. The coating on Uceris may help with rectosigmoid inflammation, but regular budesonide can reach a big chunk of the large intestine.

It also does have side effects. They're just not as bad as some other steroids.
Posted 3/12/2014 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
garylouiseville, I was surprised too that they didn't just up my sulfazine dose because we had done that before and it took care of the problem. I questioned the nurse but she just said that was what they wanted me to try. Maybe it was something they saw in my colonoscopy last summer. I will take 3 pills a day for 4 weeks and then 2 for two weeks and then just stop. I have an appointment on April 7th to see how things are going. I just hope I don't have too many side effects because I teach first graders and I really have to be on my toes.
Posted 3/12/2014 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes you just have to advocate for yourself. This is a disease where patients need to read up and get as much knowledge as they can and then tell the doctors what they want to do instead of the letting the doctors tell you what to do.
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