A study published in the Journal of Crohn's and Colitis examined the safety and efficacy of Salix Pharmaceuticals' budesonide multimatrix.
David Rubin, MD, of University of Chicago Medicine, and colleagues conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study evaluating the drug's safety in 510 adults. Researchers administered a once-daily 9mg oral budesonide multimatrix tablet or a placebo for eight weeks.
Here's what you should know.
1. Approximately 13 percent of budesonide multimatrix patients achieved clinical and endoscopic remission by week eight compared to 7.5 percent of placebo patients.
2. Clinical remission was similar in both groups.
3. More budesonide multimatrix patients achieved endoscopic remission and histological healing compared to the placebo group.
4. Adverse event rates were similar.
Researchers concluded, "Budesonide multimatrix was safe and efficacious for inducing clinical and endoscopic remission for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis refractory to oral mesalamine therapy."