Key Concepts

• The goal of medical therapy for ulcerative colitis is steroid-free clinical remission with mucosal healing.
• 5-ASA medications are the first-line treatment for low-risk patients with mild-to-moderate UC.
• IV corticosteroids are first-line treatment for severe UC flare-ups requiring hospitalization.
• Cyclosporin and infliximab are appropriate second-line agents for patients with steroid refractory severe acute colitis.