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.
Treatments for Crohn’s disease include:
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:
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:
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.
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.
This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022
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.