About Us | Privacy | Site Map
February 9, 2012
Font Size
A
A
A
...
5
...

Crohn Disease (cont.)

Medical Author:
Coauthor:
Medical Editor:
Medical Editor:
Medical Editor:

Medications

Often these medications are used together in various combinations, although they are also used alone. Like all drugs, these may have side effects that may require changing the dose or stopping the drug altogether.

Aspirin-like anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Mesalamine (Asacol, Rowasa, Canasa) tends to work best in Crohn's disease affecting mainly the colon and to some extent the small intestine. Oral and rectal suppository forms are available. Long-term use may delay relapse of the disease.

  • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) tends to work best in Crohn's disease affecting mainly the colon. It does not work well in the small intestine. Long-term use generally does not delay relapse. People on sulfasalazine should take folic acid.
Antibiotics Corticosteroids: These probably work the best of any drugs used to treat Crohn's disease because they exert both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. They can only be taken for short periods because of the many potentially severe side effects. Immunosuppressants interfere with the development of immunological responses. They are an alternative treatment for people whose Crohn's disease has relapsed after steroid therapy.
  • Infliximab (Remicade) is a monoclonal antibody that acts against tumor necrosis factor alpha, a natural product of the immune system that promotes inflammation. Infliximab is used to treat moderately severe-to-severe Crohn's disease that does not get better with other medications. When given as an intravenous infusion, its effects last for approximately 12 weeks. Repeated doses may be required.

  • Azathioprine (Imuran) inhibits the immune response that causes inflammation.
Next Page:
...
5
...

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Crohn Disease - Symptoms

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What symptoms did you experience with your Crohn disease?

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.




Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Crohn Disease »

Crohn disease is an idiopathic, chronic, transmural inflammatory process of the bowel that often leads to fibrosis and obstructive symptoms, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the anus.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick,
    easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including
    24 hour
    pharmacies