Compounding for Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
An overview of Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) causes, symptoms, and therapy using compounded medication.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) fall under a condition called Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and are characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
It is estimated that 30% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not respond well to current therapy or relapse over time. New therapy options are necessary and Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) may help these patients.
The disease is often debilitating. A good compounding pharmacy is another resource to consider in your journey. T&C Compounding Pharmacy are experts in problem-solving to help patients feel better.
Do you have Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)? So did U.S. Presidents (JFK!), well-known actors, musicians, comedians, and professional athletes.
24 Celebrities who have Crohn's or Ulcerative ColitisWhat is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus). Symptoms may include severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Different areas of the GI tract can be affected in different people.
In some people with Crohn’s disease, it only affects the colon. In others, it may affect the small intestine only.
The most common areas affected by Crohn’s disease are the end of the small intestine plus the colon. Symptoms can flare up suddenly without warning, and there are also times when patients do not have symptoms.
Flare-ups can include any of the below (according to the Mayo Clinic):
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in the stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Pain or drainage near/around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula)
Video Resource: Crohn’s 101
Overview: This introductory video provides information on potential causes, symptoms, therap, and overall management of Crohn’s disease. Watch on YouTube »
Source: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Causes
Researchers think Crohn’s is likely caused by your genetics, your immune system, and the environment.
Your immune system usually protects you, but with Crohn’s Disease something can cause it to launch an attack in the GI tract that doesn’t shut off. As the lining becomes inflamed, it can affect the ability to absorb water and process nutrients—leading to diarrhea and loss of nutrition.
LDN & Crohn’s Disease
Article:
Low-Dose Naltrexone Therapy Improves Active Crohn’s Disease.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Read Article
In this pilot study, it was hypothesized that LDN would improve Crohn’s disease by improving blood inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and ESR), lowering Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) scores, and improving quality of life.
Article:
The Effect of Low-Dose Naltrexone on Medication in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Quasi Experimental Before-and-After Prescription Database Study
Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis
Source: Journal of Crohn’s & Colitis
“In an open-label study, 17 patients were given 4.5 mg naltrexone daily for 12 weeks, 67% experienced remission... Finally, an important observation was that patients who started LDN therapy experienced clinical improvement, and that the need for other medication was decreased.”
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum and is characterized by chronic inflammation and sores. Symptoms are similar to Crohn’s disease. One possible cause is a malfunction of the immune system. Diet and stress can aggravate the condition but do not cause it. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of inflammation and where it occurs.
Signs & Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs and symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea, often with blood or pus
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal pain
- Rectal bleeding — passing small amount of blood with stool
- Urgency to defecate
- Inability to defecate despite urgency
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- In children, failure to grow
Most people with ulcerative colitis have mild to moderate symptoms. The course may vary, with some people having long periods of remission.
How Can Compounding Pharmacies Help?
Our previous blogs and much of our website focus on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for inflammatory or painful conditions, although there are various ways compounding pharmacies can help patients with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (UC).
LDN is an opioid antagonist. It has a high affinity for mu receptors in the GI tract. Using LDN produces a short-term blockade of opioid receptors, which increases endogenous opioid production. Increased opioids in the GI tract may lead to reduced inflammation, plus healing and repair of tissues. Naltrexone also blocks TNF-alpha synthesis, which may decrease inflammation.
Source: Low-Dose Naltrexone Therapy Improves Active Ulcerative Colitis
There are many ways compounding pharmacies can help with the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Compounding pharmacies can compound rectal preparations for pain, diarrhea, anal fissure, spasms, and other symptoms into an adhesive gel that can be used rectally.
MucoLox is a compounding vehicle used to help drug particles adhere to the surface of mucous membranes. In addition to improving and extending API contact time to the mucosal surface, it contains sodium hyaluronate to help hydrate the epithelial lining and support healing.
Read about how this compounding vehicle is also used for vaginal conditions and hormones: Read More
Commonly Requested Formulas
Anal / Rectal Spasms
- Baclofen / Guaifenesin / Cyclobenzaprine HCl Suppository
Adult Diaper Rash (due to diarrhea)
- Cholestyramine Diaper Rash Ointment
IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, or Proctitis
- Mesalamine / Budesonide Retention Enema (MucoLox™)
- Sodium Acetate / Sodium Propionate / Sodium Butyrate Enema
- Sodium Butyrate Enema (MucoLox™)
- Tacrolimus Rectal Enema (MucoLox™)
- Tacrolimus Rectal Gel (MucoLox™ / VersaBase®)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Budesonide Retention Enema (MucoLox™)
- Mesalamine / Sodium Butyrate Retention Enema (MucoLox™)
- Dicyclomine / Hyoscyamine Sulfate Oral Drops
- Loperamide HCl Rectal Gel (MucoLox™ / VersaBase®)
At Town & Country Compounding we do our best to work with the patient and the practitioner to offer other options for patients in the Northern New Jersey & NYC areas.
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