Ulcerative Colitis
3 medicines
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing ulcers in the colon lining, managed with aminosalicylates and other anti-inflammatory medicines.
Azulfidine
Sulfasalazine
500mg
Azulfidine is a digestive health medication containing Sulfasalazine, available as 500mg tablets.
Key facts
- Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition in which the inner lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed and develops shallow ulcers, staying confined to the colon.
- The hallmark symptom is bloody diarrhoea, often with mucus, alongside urgency, cramping, and fatigue.
- Mesalazine is the standard first-line treatment for mild to moderate disease; sulfasalazine is an older alternative still widely used.
- Symptoms lasting beyond a few days, or any flare with high fever or dehydration, need prompt medical assessment.
Recognising a flare
The hallmark symptom is bloody diarrhoea, often with mucus. Other common signs include an urgent need to empty the bowels, cramping low in the abdomen, and general fatigue. Flares vary from mild (a few loose stools a day) to severe (six or more a day with significant bleeding). Symptoms that persist beyond a few days, or any episode with high fever or signs of dehydration, warrant prompt medical assessment.
How inflammation is controlled
The main treatment goal is reducing and maintaining remission. Mesalazine is the standard first-line choice for mild to moderate disease; it works directly on the colon lining with minimal systemic effect. Sulfasalazine is an older aminosalicylate that remains widely used, particularly where cost is a factor, and carries a modest benefit for joint symptoms that sometimes accompany the disease. Both belong to the broader digestive health category. For more severe or steroid-dependent disease, immunosuppressants or biologics are added under specialist care.
Day-to-day management
Keeping a food and symptom diary helps identify personal triggers, though ulcerative colitis is not caused by diet. Stress amplifies flares in many patients, so practical stress management supports medical treatment. Stopping smoking, if applicable, is one of the few lifestyle factors consistently linked to worsening the condition. Regular follow-up and colonoscopy at the intervals your doctor recommends are important for long-term monitoring.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.