Steroids
Before starting a steroid please contact your IBD Specialist Team.
Oral Steroids
Prednisolone/Budesonide/Cortiment it is important to remember that these medicines are not recommended as long term treatment and in many cases are only needed when IBD symptoms will not respond to increasing your current therapy. Please let your IBD Specialist Team know (if your are prescibed these).
The current medical treatments for both Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are designed to spare you from systemic steroids like Prednisolone and their potential side effects. Budesonide is a steroid which does not carry such a high risk of side effects.
What is the difference between oral Prednisolone and oral Budesonide?
Oral budesonides are steroids which target the site of inflammation in the bowel whereas prednisolone a systemic steroid is distributed throughout the whole body.
Cortiment (Budesonide MMX)
9mg daily is prescribed to treat your Ulcerative Colitis flare
Budenofalk (Budesonide)
9mg daily is prescribed to treat your Crohn's flare
Entocort (Budesonide)
9mg daily is prescribed to treat your Crohn's flare
Prednisolone:
Is prescribed to treat Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's
Please Note:
Your IBD Team will decide which type of steroid and dose is best to treat you and this will be discussed with you at the time your prescription is given to you.
Rectal Steroids
In some cases your flare may require help by using a rectal steroid preparation.
Prednisolone Foam
20-40mg daily
Budenofalk Foam (Budesonide)
2mg daily
Entocort Enema (Budesonide)
2mg daily
Hydrocortisone Foam (Colifoam)
100mg 1-2 times daily
Please Note:
Your IBD Team will decide which type of steroid dose and duration is best to treat you and this will be discussed with you at the time your prescription is given to you.
