Medication for IBD
There are many different medications to treat Crohn’s and colitis. Some of them will be used to control inflammation while others will help you stay in remission (low disease activity and symptoms). Each person will find that some medications work better than others depending on their disease, so it’s important to work with your healthcare team to find the right medication/s for you.
Adalimumab for IBD
Adalimumab (Humira) is a biologic that reduces swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut. It is a medication used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and is usually prescribed by doctors when other medications have not worked.
Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) for IBD
Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) are a group of medications that reduce swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut. Some of the aminosalicylates include mesalazine, balsalazide, olsalazine and sulfasalazine and are used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in IBD
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is an umbrella term to describe the many different treatment options that lie outside typical treatment like medication and surgery. More research is needed in this area but there are some complementary treatments that have shown to improve symptoms and wellbeing in IBD.
Corticosteroids for IBD
Corticosteroids (or steroids) are used to reduce swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut during flares or when the disease is worsening. Some common types of steroids are prednisolone and budesonide which reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
Golimumab for IBD
Golimubab (Simponi) is a biologic that reduces swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut. It is a medication used to treat ulcerative colitis and is often combined with other medications like azathioprine, mercaptopurine or methotrexate.
Infliximab for IBD
Infliximab (Remicade) is a biologic that reduces swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut. It is a medication used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and is usually prescribed by doctors when other medications have not worked.
Methotrexate for IBD
Methotrexate is an immunomodulator that reduces swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut by dampening down the immune system. If methotrexate works well for you, it can be used to manage Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis for many years.
Thiopurines (Mercaptopurine and Azathioprine) for IBD
Thiopurines (azathioprine and mercaptopurine) are immunomodulators that reduce swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut by dampening down the immune system. If thiopurines work well for you, they can be used to manage Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis for many years.
Tofacitinib for IBD
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) is a medication known as a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor. By blocking the action of JAK enzymes, tofacitinib reduces irritation and swelling (inflammation) in the gut. If tofacitinib works well for you, it can be used to manage ulcerative colitis for many years.
Ustekinumab for IBD
Ustekinumab (Stelara) is a biologic that reduces swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut. It is a medication used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and is usually prescribed by doctors when other medications have not worked.
Vedolizumab for IBD
Vedolizumab (Entyvio) is a biologic that reduces swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the gut. It is a medication used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and is usually prescribed by doctors when other medications have not worked.