Ulcerative colitis is a chronic exacerbating mucosal inflammation, mostly localized in the rectum and adjacent colonic segments or in the entire colon; however, any part of the gastrointestinal tract may be affected and extraintestinal manifestations may occur. The therapy of ulcerative colitis aims at the achievement of remission.
Long-term maintenance treatment is recommended in alt patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The mainstay of therapy, especially in mild and moderate cases of ulcerative colitis, are the aminosalicylates (5-ASA, mesalazine) applied rectally or orally.
Mesalazine may be ušed in both active and inactive forms of the disease.