Get the Most from Your Medication

Being on a maintenance medication involves "maintaining" consistency and following the dosing schedule your doctor prescribes.

Taking medication to treat or control a chronic condition like ulcerative colitis can lead to a real Catch-22: The better you feel, the more tempted you might be to cut back the dose or stop taking the medication. Yes, taking multiple pills, multiple times a day, may be an inconvenience. But when you start self-adjusting your dosage or forget to take your UC medication, you may not get the full benefit of your medical therapy and you may be at increased risk for a flare-up.

Remember that even if you're comfortable and able to perform normal activities, and you are not experiencing what you would call a flare, it doesn't mean all inflammation in your colon has subsided – or that inflamed tissue has healed completely. Maintenance medications can play an important role in treatment, even after your body feels "more or less normal" again.

Your doctor knows what's best when it comes to treatment and may change your medication or dosage over time to help maintain remission. Remember that ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition with no cure except surgery. Maintenance therapy can help keep the condition under control.

Reward Yourself

Set a reasonable goal that you will take your medication as prescribed. Celebrate your success with loved ones or friends. After that, you can set a new milestone, and commit yourself to it. Then you can celebrate again.