Rectal 5‐aminosalicylic acid for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND: 5-Aminosalicylates (5-ASA) are considered a first-line therapy for inducing and maintaining remission of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). When inflammation in UC is limited to the distal colon, 5-ASA can also be administered rectally as a suppository, enema or foam. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of rectal 5-ASA for treating active distal UC.