How Long Should Corticosteroids Be Used for Ulcerative Colitis?

When treating ulcerative colitis, corticosteroids are typically prescribed for a duration of 8 to 12 weeks. During acute flare-ups, these medications are effective in reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms. Once symptoms begin to improve within 1–2 weeks, doctors usually start tapering the dosage gradually. This helps minimize potential side effects while transitioning to a maintenance regimen.

For many patients, initial treatment often involves drugs like sulfasalazine or other aminosalicylates, which are effective in managing mild to moderate symptoms. If there is no noticeable improvement after 1–2 weeks of using these medications, corticosteroids may be introduced. In more severe cases, especially when oral steroids have been used long-term, intravenous administration is preferred during flare-ups.

In such situations, medications like hydrocortisone or intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate are commonly used to achieve faster symptom control. These treatments help reduce inflammation rapidly and stabilize the patient's condition. It's important to note that corticosteroids are not intended for long-term use due to potential side effects, so they should always be used under medical supervision and with a clear plan for tapering off.