Treatment Overview

Crohn’s disease is a progressive, lifelong disease that currently has no cure. Treatment for Crohn’s disease is focused on managing and improving symptoms.

Types of Treatments

Treatments for Crohn’s disease include:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Immune system suppressors
  • Antibiotics
  • Pain relievers
  • Anti-diarrheal medications
  • Iron supplementation
  • Vitamin B12 injections
  • Calcium and Vitamin D supplements
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Surgery

Anti-inflammatory drugs – Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first-line treatment for Crohn’s disease.

Anti-inflammatory drugs used for the treatment of Crohn’s disease may include:

  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and budesonide
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Mesalamine

Immune system suppressors – Immune system suppressors reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease by targeting the immune system.

Immune system suppressors for the treatment of Crohn’s disease may include:

  • Adalimumab
  • Azathioprine
  • Certolizumab pegol
  • Infliximab
  • Mercaptopurine
  • Methotrexate
  • Natalizumabe
  • Ustekinumab
  • Vedolizumab

Antibiotics – Antibiotics can help to heal abscesses and fistulas (abnormal openings) caused by Crohn’s disease.

Antibiotics used for the treatment of Crohn’s disease may include ciprofloxacin and metronidazole.

Pain relievers – Pain relievers used for the treatment of Crohn’s disease may include acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Anti-diarrheal drugs– Fiber-based supplements, such as psyllium powder or methylcellulose, can help relieve mild diarrhea associated with Crohn’s disease. Loperamide may be recommended for more severe diarrhea, which should be used with caution under the care of a doctor.

Iron supplements, Vitamin B injections, Calcium and Vitamin D supplements – Iron supplements may be prescribed for anemia associated with Crohn’s disease. Vitamin B12 shots may be necessary to treat a Vitamin B12 deficiency caused by Crohn’s disease. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements may be necessary to reduce the risk of bone thinning, also called osteoporosis, associated with Crohn’s disease and its treatment.

Nutrition therapy – Some patients with Crohn’s disease may need a special diet given temporarily through a feeding tube to allow the bowel to rest and to reduce inflammation. A low-fiber diet may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of bowel obstruction.

Surgery – More than 50% of patients with Crohn’s disease may require surgery to remove damaged areas of the digestive tract, or to drain abscesses or repair fistulas, which are abnormal openings in the bowel.

Types of surgery used for the treatment of Crohn’s disease may include:

Small bowel resection via laparoscopy or open surgery

Subtotal colectomy, which is removal of part of the large colon

Proctocolectomy, which is removal of the entire colon and rectum

Ileostomy, which is a permanent opening in the abdomen called a stoma with the placement of bag to collect stool.

Long-Term Follow Up

Ongoing, long-term follow-up is an essential part of treatment for patients with Crohn’s disease to monitor the disease’s progression and the effectiveness of treatment.

Sources

This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022

Medications for Crohn's Disease

These are drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have been determined to be safe and effective for use in Crohn's Disease.

Found 23 Approved Drugs for Crohn's Disease

Infliximab

Brand Names
Zymfentra, Avsola, Inflectra, Remicade, Renflexis

Infliximab

Brand Names
Zymfentra, Avsola, Inflectra, Remicade, Renflexis
Form: Injection, Kit
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: August 24, 1998
Classification: Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
ZYMFENTRA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated in adults for maintenance treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravenously. ( 1 ) moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease following treatment with an infliximab products administered intraneously. ( 1 ) ZYMFENTRA is indicated in adults for maintenance treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravenously. moderately to severely active Crohn's disease following treatment with an infliximab product administered intravetnously.

Adalimumab

Brand Names
Adalimumab-aacf, Humira

Adalimumab

Brand Names
Adalimumab-aacf, Humira
Form: Kit
Method of administration: Subcutaneous
FDA approval date: December 31, 2002
HUMIRA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for: Reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

Ustekinumab

Brand Names
Steqeyma, Pyzchiva, Stelara, Ustekinumab-TTWE, Yesintek, Wezlana, Otulfi, Imuldosa

Ustekinumab

Brand Names
Steqeyma, Pyzchiva, Stelara, Ustekinumab-TTWE, Yesintek, Wezlana, Otulfi, Imuldosa
Form: Injection, Solution
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: September 25, 2009
Classification: Interleukin-12 Antagonist
PYZCHIVA is a human interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with: moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Entyvio

Generic Name
Vedolizumab

Entyvio

Generic Name
Vedolizumab
Form: Injection
Method of administration: Subcutaneous, Intravenous
FDA approval date: May 20, 2014
Classification: Integrin Receptor Antagonist
ENTYVIO is indicated in adults for the treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). ENTYVIO is an integrin receptor antagonist indicated in adults for the treatment of: moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). ( 1 ) moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). ( 1 )

Adalimumab-ADAZ

Brand Names
Amjevita, Adalimumab-bwwd, Adalimumab, Yusimry, Hyrimoz, Hadlima

Adalimumab-ADAZ

Brand Names
Amjevita, Adalimumab-bwwd, Adalimumab, Yusimry, Hyrimoz, Hadlima
Form: Injection, Kit, Solution
Method of administration: Subcutaneous
FDA approval date: January 31, 2023
Classification: Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
Plaque Psoriasis HYRIMOZ is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate. HYRIMOZ should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician. Ulcerative Colitis HYRIMOZ is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients. Limitations of Use: The effectiveness of adalimumab products has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF-blockers [see Clinical Studies (1. HYRIMOZ is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blocker indicated for: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
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