[Clinical effect of various 5-ASA preparations in ulcerative colitis]

Sulfasalazine (SASP), since 60 years standard in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, is a double molecule where 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and sulfapyridine (SP) are linked together by an azobond. Bacterial splitting of SASP within the colon allows delivery of 5-ASA for its topical action (prodrug system). To target 5-ASA without the less tolerable SP down to the lower intestine new prodrugs have been developed and, in addition, mesalazine is offered which contains 5-ASA prepared as a delayed release preparation. A clinical comparison (metaanalysis) tended towards superiority of the new prodrugs and mesalazine over SASP for inducing remission, while SASP was more effective in maintaining remission. Only few studies exist comparing the efficacy of the new drugs and mesalazine. To date a slight superiority of the new prodrugs is implied. With the exception of SASP safety profiles do not significantly differ between the different drugs containing 5-ASA.