What about pouchitis (in a j-pouch) causing uncontrollable diarrhea
A total colectomy took place 8/2006 due to extreme ulcerative colitis that could not be brought under control. In 3/2007 a small bowel resection due to GIST cancer. Has a j-pouch. Since April, 2008, uncontrollable diarrhea causing drastic weight loss and dehydration, which leads to dizziness and falling. No one has been able to bring it under control despite hospitalizations, octeotride injections, many medicines. Been termed "failure to thrive" and am wearing Depends. Cannot leave the house. Any ideas? 65 year-old male
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted orphan drug status to AST-120, made by Ocera Therapeutics (http://www.oceratherapeutics.com) , for the treatment of pouchitis.
AST-120 is an oral agent which absorbs bile acids and bacterial toxins, and mediates inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with active pouchitis.
Less than 100,000 patients in the United States suffer from pouchitis, which qualifies AST-120 for Orphan Drug status in this condition.
Orphan Drug status was created by the FDA to encourage companies to develop medicines for the treatment of rare diseases, by providing developers with market exclusivity of their products for seven years, in addition to other incentives.
You may want to contact the company, to find out if you qualify for the Phase 2 pouchitis AST-120 clinical trial. Though not listed, specifically, under "Clinical Trials," it is mentioned elsewhere on their web site.
Ocera Therapeutics, Inc.
12651 High Bluff Drive, Suite 230
San Diego, CA, 92130
Office Tel: 858-436-3900
Office Fax: 858-436-3999
email: ashibata@ocerainc.com
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There is a new treatment called BCIR when pouches fail. My daughter has the same problem as you. She is in her 20s.We will be checking into this. Feel free to email me at shebasox@aol.com
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