Best treatments for ulcerative colitis
69 products may treat ulcerative colitis, spanning FDA drug classes such as aminosalicylate, tumor necrosis factor blocker, corticosteroid. The current highest-rated option is amjevita. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 69 drugs we list for ulcerative colitis, 33 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as aminosalicylate, tumor necrosis factor blocker, corticosteroid. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for ulcerative colitis — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Understanding ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which abnormal immune activity causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) on the inner lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It typically follows a pattern of flares and periods of remission. Common symptoms described by NIDDK and MedlinePlus include cramping abdominal pain and diarrhea, often with blood, pus, or mucus in the stool, along with an urgent need to have a bowel movement and fatigue. NIDDK notes the goal of treatment is to keep people in remission long term, and that most people need lifelong medication unless they have surgery to remove the colon and rectum. Clinicians diagnose UC using blood and stool tests, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, and imaging, then tailor treatment to how severe and how extensive the disease is. Medication classes used to calm inflammation and maintain remission include aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biologics, and newer small-molecule medicines. Surgery may be considered for severe, unresponsive disease or complications. This is general information, not medical advice — treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.
First-line treatment
For mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, aminosalicylates (5-ASAs such as mesalamine) are the standard first-line therapy; the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recommends standard-dose mesalamine or a diazo-bonded 5-ASA as preferred initial treatment, and NIDDK notes aminosalicylates are used to treat mild or moderate UC and to help maintain remission. For left-sided or extensive disease, the AGA guideline suggests adding rectal mesalamine to oral 5-ASA therapy. When aminosalicylates don't control symptoms, or for moderate-to-severe disease, NIDDK notes clinicians may add corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biologics, or small-molecule medicines. Specific medicines and doses should be determined by a healthcare professional.
Top-rated picks for ulcerative colitis: 1. Amjevita · 2. Canasa · 3. Cyltezo
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Suppository | Aminosalicylate | Generic | $27 | View → | |
| 3 | 72/100 | Prescription | Kit | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | 72/100 | Prescription | Kit | Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker | No data | — | View → | |
| 5 | 72/100 | Over-the-counter | Lozenge | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 6 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Corticosteroid | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 7 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 8 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Aminosalicylate | Generic | $11 | View → | |
| 9 | 70/100 | Prescription | Enema | Corticosteroid | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 10 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Interleukin-12 Antagonist | No data | — | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: corticosteroid · aminosalicylate · tumor necrosis factor blocker · interleukin-12 antagonist · cholinergic nicotinic agonist
Full ranking · 69 treatments
amjevita
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Amjevita (Adalimumab-Atto) is a medication used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn Disease.
Price varies
canasa
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Canasa (Mesalamine) is an aminosalicylate used to treat Ulcerative Colitis, Proctitis, Sigmoid Diseases.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.31/30· 8 forms Save up to 78% in classcyltezo
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cyltezo (Adalimumab-Adbm) is a medication used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn Disease.
Price varies
humira
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Humira (Adalimumab) is a tumor necrosis factor blocker used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn Disease.
Price varies
nicorette
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Nicorette (Nicotine Polacrilex) is a medication used to treat Ulcerative Colitis, Tobacco Use Disorder.
pred forte
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Pred Forte (Prednisolone Acetate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in class- Wezlana
- Colazal
- Cortenema
- Imuldosa
- Maxidex
- Methylprednisolone
- Methylprednisolone Acetate
- Ozurdex
- Pediapred
- Pred Mild
- Prednisone
- Zilretta
- Hyrimoz
- Idacio
- Otulfi
- Hulio
- Omnipred
- Azulfidine En-Tabs
- Ixifi
- Velsipity
- Medrol
- Prednisolone Acetate
- Depo-Medrol
- Alkindi Sprinkle
- Apriso
- Azulfidine
- Dexamethasone
- Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate
- Dextenza
- Dexycu Kit
- Dipentum
- Entyvio
- Habitrol
- Hadlima
- Inflectra
- Kenalog-10
- Khindivi
- Lialda
- Locoid Lipocream
- Mesalamine
- Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour
- Nicoderm Cq
- Nicotine Polacrilex
- Omvoh
- Orapred ODT
- Pentasa
- Pyzchiva
- Remicade
- Renflexis
- Selarsdi
- Sfrowasa
- Simlandi
- Solu-Cortef
- Solu-Medrol
- Starjemza
- Stelara
- Steqeyma
- Triesence
- Xipere
- Yesintek
- Yuflyma
- Yusimry
- Zymfentra
Frequently asked
- What treats ulcerative colitis?
- Our catalog lists 69 products that may treat ulcerative colitis, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is amjevita.
- What is the best-rated treatment for ulcerative colitis?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — amjevita ranks highest among the products we list for ulcerative colitis. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat ulcerative colitis?
- Treatments for ulcerative colitis span FDA drug classes including aminosalicylate, tumor necrosis factor blocker, corticosteroid, interleukin-12 antagonist, interleukin-23 antagonist. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.
Sources
The clinical overview above is written from these authoritative public-health and medical-society sources, independently reviewed against each.
- Definition & Facts of Ulcerative Colitis — NIDDK (NIH) ↗
- Symptoms & Causes of Ulcerative Colitis — NIDDK (NIH) ↗
- Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis — NIDDK (NIH) ↗
- Ulcerative Colitis — MedlinePlus (NLM) ↗
- AGA Clinical Guideline: Management of Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis — American Gastroenterological Association ↗