G reports that Asacol is ‘effective’ in treating ulcerative colitis

Procter and Gamble (P&G) has reported that its oral, non-steroidal medication Asacol is an effective and well tolerated treatment for patients with all extents of ulcerative colitis (UC) including isolated proctitis.

The results were drawn from two Phase III clinical trials which showed that patients with isolated proctitis who took Asacol experienced significant improvement as early as three weeks and saw sustained improvement at six weeks.

Taking a dose of 2.4g per day for six weeks, 83 per cent of patients had improvement in rectal bleeding, 75 per cent had mucosal healing and 57 per cent had reduced stool frequency.
P&G suggested that the study results are boosted by the observation that patients would choose oral therapy over other routes of delivery such as rectal therapy.

Seymour Katz, clinical professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of the results.

“The positive findings from these Asacol studies reassure physicians that Asacol is one treatment that has been proven effective throughout the entire colon, even the most distal portions, and should help guide physicians in how to effectively treat their UC patients,” he said.

The data was presented at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s National Research and Clinical Conference this week.

Last month, P&G announced the launch of its probiotic supplement Align which was released first in the American cities of St Louis, Cincinnati and Dallas.