These include drugs such as aminosalicylates, steroids, and antibiotics.
Other novel treatments approved in recent years include biologics and immunosuppressants.
All of these treatment options aim to decrease immune system activity to reduce inflammation.
Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images
Most medical therapies for managing Crohn’s disease work by suppressing an overly active intestinal immune system.
These drugs effectively treat mild-to-moderate episodes of the disease and are useful as a maintenance therapy.
Examples include:
These medications can be taken orally or via the rectal route of administration.
They reduce the activity of the immune system and decrease inflammation.
Corticosteroids are taken to treat moderate to severely active Crohn’s disease.
Due to their severe side effects, they are not recommended for long-term use or as maintenance therapy.
The common corticosteroids used include:
These medications are available orally or via injection.
Immunosuppressants
Immunosuppressantsreduce immune system activity, resulting in less inflammation in the digestive tract.
Immunomodulators can take several weeks to three months to start working.
These drugs are usually prescribed when aminosalicylates and corticosteroids havent been effective or have been only partially effective.
Immunosuppressants may also be useful in maintaining remission in people who havent responded to other medications.
Immunosuppressants include:
Antibiotics
Gut microbes play a role in the progression and complications of Crohns disease.
Antibiotics reduce the concentrations of bacteria in the gut lumen and control immune response to lower inflammation.
Antibiotics help prevent the recurrence of the disease.
However, they come with side effects, such as the development ofantibiotic resistance.
Neutralizing these proteins decreases inflammation in the intestines.
It involves combining different types of drugs, such as biologic drugs, with immunomodulators.
Drugs that work differently provide additional benefits.
Eat small portions that are high in fiber and drink plenty of water.
Stress can aggravate the Crohn’s disease symptoms.
If your provider recommends bowel rest, they may have you consume only certain nutrient-rich liquids.
You may also receive nutrients intravenously (IV).
OTC medications:Some OTC medicines can help relieve pain and inflammation.
Avoid some foods that worsen the symptoms, such as diarrhea and gas.
All these drugs work to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation in the gut.
However, no single treatment works for everyone with Crohn’s disease.
The choice of drug depends on the individual’s condition, symptoms, preferences, and responsiveness to treatment.
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