Pouchitis

Treatment

Treatment for pouchitis depends on the location and severity of the disease. Most patients respond to a short (1-2 weeks) course of antibiotics such as metronidazole and ciprofloxacin. If antibiotics are not effective, the following treatments may be used:

• Topical mesalamine (suppository or enema).
• Oral and topical corticosteroids as well as budesonide.
• Immunosuppressive medications, such as infliximab.
• Probiotics (live organisms found in the human gastrointestinal tract).
• In rare cases, when pouchitis does not respond to medications, it may be necessary to remove the pouch.