Budesonide 9mg gastro-resistant granules are in clinical development for the induction of remission in patients with lymphocytic colitis. Lymphocytic colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes bouts of severe diarrhoea. Certain medications, viruses and bacteria can trigger lymphocytic colitis, however the cause of the disease is not known; it is thought that genetic and environmental factors may be involved.
Budesonide is a corticosteroid that exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The treatment works by binding with high affinity to intracellular glucocorticoid receptors. In one phase III clinical trial, budesonide was shown to be significantly effective in inducing clinical remission in lymphocytic colitis patients in comparison to a placebo. If licensed, budesonide will offer a treatment option for patients with lymphocytic colitis.