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Drugs Used for Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic digestive disorder in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed, causing abdominal pain and bloating and diarrhea. In severe cases, malnutrition can result. Crohn's disease is part of a group of disorders called irritable bowel diseases. Any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus can be affected by Crohn's disease, but it most commonly affects intestines. No exact cause for Crohn's disease has been pinpointed, but it is known to be an immune system disorder in which the immune system attacks the digestive tract. There is no cure, but several treatment options are available, including many prescription drugs.

  1. Corticosteroids

    • People with Crohn's disease are often prescribed corticosteroids to help treat it. Corticosteroids such as prednisone work by reducing inflammation in the body. Some people do not respond well the to these drugs, though, so they are normally used in people with moderate to severe inflammation. Additionally, steroids have potentially serious side effects when used long-term, such as type 2 diabetes, cataracts and osteoporosis. Children who take corticosteroids over a long period of time can have their growth stunted.

    Anti-Inflammatories

    • In addition to corticosteroids, several other drugs can be prescribed to help ease the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. Two popular options are sulfasalazine (brand name Azulfidine) and mesalamine (brand names Asacol and Rowasa). Sulfasalazine is not always effective at treating inflammation caused by Crohn's and cannot be taken by people who are allergic to sulfa drugs. Mesalamine, meanwhile, is generally not very effective at treating Crohn's disease when it affects the small intestine.

    Immunosuppresants

    • Another class of drugs used to treat Crohn's disease is immune-system-suppressing medications. Some of the drugs in this class used to treat the disease include natalizumab (brand name Tysabri), methotrexate (brand name Rheumatrex), certolizumab pegol (brand name Cimzia), cyclosporine (brand names Gengraf, Neoral and Sandimmune), adalimumab (brand name Humira), azathioprine (brand name Imuran) and infliximab (brand name Remicade). These drugs can also help reduce inflammation, but their main function is targeting the immune system.

    Antibiotics

    • Some antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin (brand name Cipro) and metronidazole (brand name Flagyl), can be used to treat Crohn's disease. In some cases, they are prescribed to treat abcesses and fistulas that develop as a result of the disease. They are also given to help suppress the immune system in the intestines, which will help control and reduce symptoms, and to limit the number of bacteria in the intestines.

    Other Drugs

    • In some cases, doctors may prescribe or recommend drugs to help reduce the symptoms caused by Crohn's disease. These include laxatives to help with constipation caused by swollen intestines and anti-diarrhea medications and fiber supplements to help firm up the stool. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and naproxen can also help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort caused by Crohn's disease.

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