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Table 33: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Agents


A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z


Drug Category: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Agents

Medication Class/Individual Agents: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Agents

I. Prior-Authorization Requirements

 Inflammatory Bowel Disease Agents

Clinical Notes

Drug Details

Drug Generic Name

Drug Brand Name

PA
Status

Drug
Notes

balsalazide Colazal test   # , A90
budesonide 3 mg delayed-release capsule test   A90
budesonide extended-release capsule Ortikos PA  
budesonide extended-release tablet Uceris test   BP, A90
budesonide rectal foam Uceris PA   A90
hydrocortisone enema Cortenema test   # , A90
hydrocortisone foam Cortifoam test  
hydrocortisone hemorrhoidal cream Anusol-HC test   # , A90
mesalamine capsule Delzicol DR test   BP, A90
mesalamine controlled-release Pentasa test   BP, A90
mesalamine delayed-release Lialda test   BP, A90
mesalamine enema Rowasa test   # , A90
mesalamine extended-release Apriso test   BP, A90
mesalamine high dose delayed-release Asacol HD test   # , A90
mesalamine kit Rowasa Kit PA   A90
mesalamine suppository Canasa test   # , A90
olsalazine Dipentum test  
sulfasalazine Azulfidine test   # , A90
sulfasalazine delayed-release Azulfidine EN-Tabs test   # , A90

Please note: In the case where the prior authorization (PA) status column indicates PA, both the brand and generic (if available) require PA. Typically, the generic is preferred when available unless the brand-name drug appears on the MassHealth Brand Name Preferred Over Generic Drug List. In general, when requesting the non-preferred version, whether the brand or generic, the prescriber must provide medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the preferred version, in addition to satisfying the criteria for the drug itself.

Guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) include the following recommendations:

  • Sulfasalazine is effective for treating symptoms of mild to moderate active Crohn’s disease.
  • Controlled release budesonide should be used for induction of remission for patients with mild to moderate ileocecal Crohn’s disease.
  • Oral corticosteroids can be used for short-term for alleviating symptoms in moderate-to-severe active Crohn’s disease.
  • Thiopurines and methotrexate are effective and should be considered for steroid-sparing and maintenance of remission in Crohn’s disease.
  • Anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab) should be used in Crohn’s disease that is resistant to corticosteroids and Crohn’s disease refractory to thiopurines and methotrexate.
  • For patients with moderate-to-severe active Crohn’s disease, anti-integrin therapy (vedolizumab) should be considered for induction of symptomatic remission.
  • Ustekinumab should be given for moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease who failed previous treatment with corticosteroids, thiopurines, methotrexate, or anti-TNF agents or who have had no prior exposure to anti-TNF agents.
  • Anti-TNF agents should be considered to treat severe active Crohn’s disease.
  • Infliximab may be administered to treat fulminant Crohn’s disease.
  • Infliximab is effective and should be considered in treating perianal fistulas.
  • Adalimumab and certolizumab may be effective and should be considered in treating perianal fistulas.
  • Thiopurines may be effective and should be considered in treating fistulizing Crohn’s disease.
  • Anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab, and ustekinumab should be used to maintain remission in Crohn's disease.
  • In mild active ulcerative proctitis, rectal 5-ASA therapies for induction and maintenance of remission is recommended.
  • In mild active left-sided ulcerative colitis, rectal 5-ASA enemas combined with oral 5-ASA is recommended for induction of remission.
  • In mild active left-sided ulcerative colitis without response to oral and rectal 5-ASA, oral budesonide MMX is recommended for induction of remission.
  • In mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis not responding to oral 5-ASA, oral budesonide MMX is recommended for induction of remission.
  • In mild active left-sided or extensive ulcerative colitis, oral 5-ASA is recommended for maintenance of remission.
  • In moderate active ulcerative colitis, oral budesonide MMX is recommended.
  • In moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis, anti-TNF agents (adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab), vedolizumab, and tofacitinib is recommended for induction of remission.
  • In moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis with failure to anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab and tofacitinib is recommended for induction of remission.
  • Anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab, and tofacitinib should be used to maintain remission.

1. Rubin DT, Ananthakrishnan AN; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee. Am J Gastroenterol. 2019 Mar;114(3):384-413.
2. Lichtensterin GR, Loftus EV; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Management of Crohn’s Disease in adults: American College of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee. Am J Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr;113(4):481-517.

 
Table Footnotes
# This designates a brand-name drug with FDA “A”-rated generic equivalents. PA is required for the brand, unless a particular form of that drug (for example, tablet, capsule, or liquid) does not have an FDA “A”-rated generic equivalent.
 
BP Brand Preferred over generic equivalents. In general, MassHealth requires a trial of the preferred drug or clinical rationale for prescribing the non-preferred drug generic equivalent.
 
A90 Allowable 90-day supply. Dispensing in up to a 90-day supply is allowed. May not include all strengths or formulations. Quantity limits and other restrictions may apply.
 

II. Therapeutic Uses

FDA-approved, for example:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis

Note: The above list may not include all FDA-approved indications.

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III.  Evaluation Criteria for Approval

Please note: In the case where the prior authorization (PA) status column indicates PA, both the brand and generic (if available) require PA. Typically, the generic is preferred when available unless the brand-name drug appears on the MassHealth Brand Name Preferred Over Generic Drug List. In general, when requesting the non-preferred version, whether the brand or generic, the prescriber must provide medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the preferred version, in addition to satisfying the criteria for the drug itself.

  • All PA requests must include clinical diagnosis, drug name, dose, and frequency.
  • Dispensing in a 90-day supply of medication may be mandated or allowable for agents in this therapeutic class (designated by M90 or A90, respectively, in the Drug Notes section above). Applicable quantity limits are described below as units per day, per month, per 28 days, or as clinically appropriate, and may be extrapolated for fills of longer day supply. 
  • A preferred drug may be designated for this therapeutic class. In general, MassHealth requires a trial of the preferred drug or clinical rationale for prescribing a non-preferred drug within a therapeutic class. Additional information about these agents, including PA requirements and preferred products, can be found within the MassHealth Drug List at www.mass.gov/druglist.
  • For recertification requests, approval may require submission of additional documentation including, but not limited to, documentation of: some or all criteria for the original approval; response to therapy; clinical rationale for continuation of use; status of member’s condition; appropriate diagnosis; appropriate age; appropriate dose, frequency, and duration of use for requested medication; complete treatment plan; current laboratory values; and member’s current weight.
  • Additional criteria may apply depending upon diagnosis and/or requested medication (see below). Other factors, including rebate and FDA-approval status, may change independently of scheduled MassHealth updates, which may result in additional restrictions.

   

budesonide rectal foam

  • Documentation of the following is required:
    • appropriate diagnosis; and
    • member is ≥ 18 years of age; and
    • inadequate response (defined by at least three weeks of therapy) or adverse reaction to one or contraindication to both of the following: hydrocortisone enema, hydrocortisone foam.

   

mesalamine enema kit

  • Documentation of the following is required:
    • appropriate diagnosis; and
    • inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to mesalamine enema and mesalamine suppository.

   

Ortikos

  • Documentation of the following is required:
    • appropriate diagnosis; and
    • appropriate dosing; and
    • inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to budesonide delayed-release capsules available without PA; and
    • one of the following:
      • member is ≥ 18 years of age; or
      • both of the following:
        • member is ≥ eight years of age; and
        • agent will be used for treatment of active Crohn’s disease.


Original Effective Date: 04/2003

Last Revised Date: 03/2024


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Last updated 04/01/24

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