Medication Treatment for Eosinophilic Disorders

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders

Some medications have been shown to reduce the number of eosinophils in the esophagus and improve symptoms in patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs), including:

• eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
• eosinophilic gastritis (EoG)
• eosinophilic enteritis (EoN)
• eosinophilic colitis (EoC)

Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

Your doctor will consider prescribing a proton pump inhibitor, a classic medicine used to treat acid or reflux-associated esophagitis. This approach is considered a first-line treatment for acid-associated esophagitis (e.g., reflux). It is now also considered a treatment option for some patients with EoE.

Topical Steroids

Corticosteroids, which control inflammation, are effective medications for treating EoE. They help control inflammation in the esophagus.

• Fluticasone comes in an inhaler, like those used for asthma. It is sprayed into the mouth and then swallowed. See this video for instructions on how to take topical steroids for EoE.
• Budesonide is a liquid that comes in a vial that is mixed with Splenda© or another mixing agent and then swallowed.

Systemic Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids that are administered systemically can be used to treat eosinophil-associated conditions.

Biologics

Biologics for eosinophilic asthma include mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab and dupilumab. Biologics for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome) include mepolizumab, and biologics for hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) include imatinib. Biologics for EoE include dupilumab.

Investigational Medications

The Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED) has a critical role in developing new medications and treatments, working tirelessly on each stage of the process, and has already had a key role in the development of therapeutic strategies for eosinophilic disorders. Our hospital features ongoing CCED clinical trials to study how these medicines can help children with EGIDs. Learn more about our research.

FDA Approval of Dupilumab (Dupixent) for EoE

The FDA approved Dupilumab (Dupixent) for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) on May 20, 2022. Read a message from our providers.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) can affect multiple organs and systems of the body. Medications to treat HES target the function of the immune system. The biologic imatinib is used to treat HES.