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Medications for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 21, 2024.

Maintenance treatments for Crohn’s disease help to keep the condition under control (in remission) and reduce or eliminate symptoms and include aminosalicylates, such as sulfasalazine, mesalamine, olsalazine, and balsalazide; immunomodulators such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus; biologics such as adalimumab, certolizumab, infliximab, infliximab-dyyb, natalizumab, risankizumab-rzaa, ustekinumab, vedolizumab, and others; and targeted synthetic small molecules such as upadacitinib and tofacitinib.

Keeping Crohn’s disease under control is important to reduce your risk of complications, even if you are not currently having any symptoms. Most people with Crohn’s disease take some form of medication for the rest of their life.

Drugs used for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Pentasa 8.0 51 reviews for Pentasa to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
mesalamine 8.2 67 reviews for mesalamine to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Brand names:
Pentasa, Asacol, Asacol HD
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Humira 7.5 55 reviews for Humira to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
mercaptopurine Off-label 5.5 15 reviews for mercaptopurine to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx D N
Generic name:
mercaptopurine systemic
Drug class:
antimetabolites
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Cimzia 9.2 6 reviews for Cimzia to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
certolizumab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
sulfasalazine Off-label 0.0 1 review for sulfasalazine to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
sulfasalazine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Entyvio 6.0 4 reviews for Entyvio to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
vedolizumab systemic
Drug class:
selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
infliximab 7.5 41 reviews for infliximab to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
infliximab systemic
Brand name:
Zymfentra
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
certolizumab 9.2 6 reviews for certolizumab to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
certolizumab systemic
Brand name:
Cimzia
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
vedolizumab 5.8 5 reviews for vedolizumab to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
vedolizumab systemic
Brand name:
Entyvio
Drug class:
selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Asacol 8.1 7 reviews for Asacol to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Imuran 6.8 10 reviews for Imuran to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx D N
Generic name:
azathioprine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
azathioprine 5.5 21 reviews for azathioprine to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx D N
Generic name:
azathioprine systemic
Brand names:
Imuran, Azasan
Drug class:
antirheumatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Entocort EC 8.3 4 reviews for Entocort EC to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx C N
Generic name:
budesonide systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
metronidazole Off-label 9.3 5 reviews for metronidazole to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Asacol HD 9.7 3 reviews for Asacol HD to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
budesonide 6.8 5 reviews for budesonide to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx C N
Generic name:
budesonide systemic
Brand name:
Entocort EC
Drug class:
inhaled corticosteroids, glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
adalimumab 7.5 57 reviews for adalimumab to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Brand names:
Humira, Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, Hulio, Hyrimoz, Idacio, Simlandi, Yuflyma, Yusimry
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Azasan Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
azathioprine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Tysabri 3.0 1 review for Tysabri to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx C N
Generic name:
natalizumab systemic
Drug class:
selective immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Abrilada Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amjevita 0.0 1 review for Amjevita to treat Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cyltezo Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Hadlima Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Hulio Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
adalimumab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.