Avandia/Nicotine Patch

My dr. told me that I can try Avandia (diabetes medication) or the Nicotine Patch b/c I'm allergic to the 5-ASA drugs. Has anyone tried either one of these alternative therapies? My dr. doesn't want to put me on prednisone until I've exhausted my options.

I am thinking about asking my dr. about the patches myself.  I am now on prednisone and I just don't like this at all.  I have been found to be allergic to the 5-ASA's too.  Anything I should now would be helpful. thanks

From what I know and others I have talked to, as well as personal experience, nicotine patches do not do squat. Seems its something else that's absorbed during the act of smoking a cigarette that affects the UC.

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"We are dreamers, shapers, singers and makers..." - Elric, Technomage

• 28yo male. Brisbane, Australia. Diagnosed at 16yo. Currently enjoying severe pan-colitis.
  - Participating in the Golimumab trial as of 1st May, 2008;
  - 2x Colazide, twice a day; 25mg of 6-MP a day; 1xAllopurnol;
  - 1x teaspoon of Metamucil 3 times a day;
  - 1x BIOCeuticals UltraBiotic 45 + 1x SB FlorActiv twice a day.

For some the drugs that are made specifically for this disease do not do squat. I read in that one pilot study where 6 mg of nicotine, not what's inhaled, has a possibility to help. It's just like everything else, it may or it may not. The sure thing is, if you don't try it you will never know. I just give different things a try, then mark that off my list.

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Proctitis DX 1998
Lialda 1x day
Hydrocort Enema As Needed

D_A is right. There have been studies done that showed nicotine patches to help UC symptoms. If you aren't a smoker though, be aware that the patches can give you some side effects, like lightheadedness and nausea. Of course, our other meds can give us side effects, too.

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24 years old
Diagnosed with UC March 2007; yet to go into complete remission
Asacol 4 tablets 3x/day

I am still hung up on the enema version, lol. I like to go right at it.

Short version: http://www.hindawi.com/GetArticle.aspx?doi=10.1155/2008/237185

Long Version: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.02199.x

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Proctitis DX 1998
Lialda 1x day
Hydrocort Enema As Needed

D_A, be careful of the nicotine enemas. Nicotine is a powerful poison, and unless you know precisely what you're doing, that nicotine enema might kill you. Also, since it doesn't work topically but systemically, there'd be no advantage to rectal dosing.

Unless you've just learned to love enemas.

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who could ever learn to love enemas ?

I know i couldnt.

Patches did nothing for me

We talk a lot about the side effects of UC meds here, and it's important for us to be aware of the potential good and bad effects of our medications. It may be a fair trade-off for you, but just wanted to make sure that Avandia (and nicotine too, for that matter) is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack.

Definately don't love them, lol. I just don't like taking the scenic route to get to where I am going.

According to that small study there is an advantage to rectal dosing.

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Proctitis DX 1998
Lialda 1x day
Hydrocort Enema As Needed

My husband and I are planning to start a family and I'm really nervous about trying Avandia or the nicotine patch b/c when I google the drug with pregnancy, it suggests NOT to take during that period.  My UC is mild and is on the left-side and I've been flaring for 3 months.  In 6 years of having the disease, I've never had a flare that lasted more than a month.  I was on probiotics for 6 months and I felt normal as if I didn't have the disease anymore.  I went away to the Caribbean and the day after I got home, that's when it started.  My dr. tested me for parasites, bacteria (incl C-diff) and it all came back negative. It's just so bizarre that it happened right after my trip.  I've tried Cortifoam, Lialda, Mesalamine enemas (which none of these worked) and now on a suppository with the option of the Nicotine patch or Avandia.  Has anyone tried Avandia? My dr. said that my UC isn't sever enough to go on immunosuppressants or biological treatments.