 Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect the lower part of the small intestine, the colon, and other parts of the digestive tract. The cause is unknown. Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, fevers, fatigue, and weight loss. There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but prescription medicines can help to control the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as sulfasalazine (brand name Azulfadine) or mesalamine (>Asacol, >Pentasa) are often the primary treatment for mild to moderate Crohn's disease. Metronidazole (>Flagyl), an antibiotic, may also be used to control mild to moderate cases. Doctors usually treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease with oral or injectable corticosteroid medications such as >prednisone (Orasone) or methylprednisolone. If steroids don’t control the symptoms, cyclosporine (>Neoral) or azathioprine (>Imuran) can be added. These drugs work by suppressing the immune system, which is overactive in people with Crohn's disease. Infliximab (Remicade) is a new injectable drug that has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating the symptoms of Crohn's disease. It works by decreasing inflammation in the intestinal tract. Infliximab appears useful for people with moderate to severe Crohn's disease that has not been relieved by other treatments. In rare cases, certain types of fatal infections as well as a type of lymphoma have been linked to primarily young people who were given Remicade. You and your doctor must decide if the benefits of this treatment outweigh the risks. In 2006 a major genetic link to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory diseases was identified. Researchers anticipate that this development will help identify which patients will benefit from new and future treatments. Some people have severe Crohn's disease that prescription medicines don't help. In these cases, doctors may recommend surgery to remove affected areas of the intestinal tract. New surgical techniques eliminate the need to wear an external pouch. Sources:
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Web site, www.ccfa.org. Last accessed 117/13/2006.
Digestive Disorders, "Crohn's Disease. http://www.merck.com/mmhe. The Merck Manual of Medical Information, 2nd Home Edition, online version. Last accessed 11/13/2006.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.
Lang K.A., "Promising New Agents for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disorders," Drugs Research and Development, 3, 1999.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton and Lange, 1999.
Robinson, M., "Optimizing Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease," American Journal of Gastroenterology, 92, 1997.
Slonim, A.E., "A Preliminary Study of Growth Hormone Therapy for Crohn’s Disease," The New England Journal of Medicine, 342, 2000.
This answer prepared 7/11/2001.
This information updated 1/23/2007.
- >sulfasalazine
- >mesalamine
- >Metronidazole
- >methylprednisolone
- >cyclosporine
- >azathioprine
- >Remicade
|
view shopping bag
