What Is the First-Line Treatment of Microscopic Colitis?

Microscopic colitis is a condition associated with chronic, watery diarrhoea and colonic inflammation visible only on histology. This page summarises the first-line pharmacological approach to inducing clinical remission.

Treatment Approach

The first-line regimen is built around a corticosteroid-class agent given to induce clinical remission. The choice of agent has a highly favourable risk/benefit profile and supports once-daily convenience. Full details — including the specific drug, dose, and criteria for stopping the course — are available in the complete structured protocol.

Clinical Goal

Achievement of clinical remission.
Expected over an average of 7 to 13 days

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.11.008

Patients treated with 9 mg of budesonide daily were more than twice as likely to achieve clinical remission over an average of 7 to 13 days when compared with no treatment (relative risk, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.45–4.4).
Because of the highly favorable risk/benefit profile and convenience of once-daily dosing, budesonide should be considered first-line therapy for the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Cessation of budesonide can be considered after 8 weeks of therapy.

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