Budesonide for ulcerative colitis.

In this review, we examined studies published on oral and topical formulations of budesonide (Entocort and Budenofalk, in Spain: Entocord and Intestifalk) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This glycocorticosteroid has a potent local action and an important first-pass liver metabolism. It has proven successful over the last years as a controlled-release formulation. It obtained results similar to prednisolone, without the latter s significant suppression of plasma cortisol. Many publications exist on the effects of oral budesonide for the treatment of Crohn s disease (CD). These have led to the registration of this drug for the treatment of CD. Studies on oral formulations of budesonide for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce. After reviewing published evidence, we suggest the conduction of controlled trials for the treatment of UC to obtain evidence-based efficacy and safety results in order to benefit patients with this form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).