Medications to Treat Fistulas

Fistulas are tube-like passageways that can be surgically created in the body or formed abnormally as a result of a disease. In undeveloped countries, fistulas typically go untreated. Thankfully, the United States and Europe have qualified physicians, medications, surgical procedures and the necessary equipment to properly treat all types of fistula. Generally, treatment for a fistula is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Types of Fistula

• A fistula is categorized by its location in the body. Among the different types are colon fistula, anal fistula, rectal fistula, vaginal fistula, urinary fistula, salivary fistula and gastrointestinal fistula. A fistula can be blind, incomplete or complete. Blind fistulas typically have only one open end; incomplete fistulas have external openings but nothing attached; and complete fistulas have both internal and external openings.

Factors for Treating Fistulas

• To treat a fistula, a physician must first know the type, its location, its size and the severity of the symptoms or the effect the fistula has on the patient. For example, with an anal fistula, a physician typically first tests for Crohn's disease, which is an inflammation of the bowel, including the small intestine. If the disease is present, an antibiotic is generally prescribed, which also treats any fistulas.

Medications

• As mentioned above, a fistula caused by disease or infection is typically treated with an antibiotic. The types of antibiotics a person can take to treat a fistula include flagyl, 6-mp and remicade. Flagyl is used to treat vaginal fistulas, 6-mp treats the bowel disease and remicade treats vaginal infections. Medication taken depends on what type of fistula is being treated. For instance, an anal fistula should be treated with an antibiotic plus stool softeners to help reduce pain during bowel movements.

Other Considerations

• Physicians do not all prescribe medications to treat fistula; some instead prescribe a diet as treatment. To treat enterovaginal, enterocutaneous and enterovesicular fistulas, for instance, a physician may prescribe what is called an enteral diet. This diet consists of liquid nutrition that a person can take by mouth or feeding tube. The liquid provides the nutritional formulas that replace solid foods. With less solid foods passing through the anus, it is easier for a fistula to heal.

Medication Warning

• Note that everyone responds to medication and treatment differently. Therefore the medication available to treat fistulas may not work for everyone. If you are not responding to the medication prescribed by your doctor, surgery may be necessary. This is often the case, for example, if the fistula is intestinal.