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Medications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Other names: IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that is used to describe long-term inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can lead to damage, such as tissue ulceration. Two conditions come under the IBD umbrella term – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

  • Ulcerative colitis occurs only in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. The damaged areas of tissue occur only on the innermost lining and are continuous – not patchy, and usually start at the rectum and spread into the colon.
  • Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract – from the mouth to the anus, although it usually affects the area of the small intestine just before it joins the large intestine. The areas of tissue damage are patchy, and often right next to areas of healthy tissue and the inflammation may reach through multiple layers of the GI tract.

What are the symptoms of IBD?

Symptoms of IBD are the same for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and include:

  • Persistent diarrhea
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in the stools
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Fatigue
  • Unintended weight loss.

The only way to know which one you have is through further investigations done by a doctor, which may include stool samples, blood tests, imaging studies, endoscopy, or colonoscopy.

What causes IBD?

Experts are unsure of the exact cause of IBD but it does tend to run in families. They also suggest that environmental triggers, such as viruses or bacteria, may weaken the immune system, making it more vulnerable to inflammation.

Most people who develop IBD are diagnosed before they're 30 years old although it can develop later in life. Cigarette smoking is the most important controllable risk factor for developing Crohn's disease although smoking may help protect against ulcerative colitis. However, its harm to overall health outweighs any benefit.

What is used to treat IBD?

For some people, IBD is only mild but for others, it can severely impact their way of life.

Common medications used to treat IBD include:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • 5-aminosalicylic acids
  • Immunomodulators
  • Corticosteroids
  • Biologics
  • Surgery.

Drugs used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Acthar Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Apriso 9.5 2 reviews for Apriso to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Asacol 9.0 1 review for Asacol to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Asacol HD Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Avsola Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
infliximab systemic
Drug class:
TNF alfa inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
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
azathioprine 5.0 2 reviews for azathioprine to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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
Azulfidine Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
sulfasalazine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Azulfidine EN-tabs Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
sulfasalazine systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, 5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
budesonide 7.5 32 reviews for budesonide to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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
Cortef Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cortenema Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
corticotropin Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Brand names:
Acthar, H.P. Acthar Gel
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Cortifoam Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
cromolyn 5.5 4 reviews for cromolyn to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rx B N
Generic name:
cromolyn systemic
Brand name:
Gastrocrom
Drug class:
mast cell stabilizers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cyclosporine Off-label Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
cyclosporine systemic
Drug class:
calcineurin inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
De-Sone LA Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Delzicol 10 1 review for Delzicol to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rx B N
Generic name:
mesalamine systemic
Drug class:
5-aminosalicylates
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dexamethasone Intensol Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
dexamethasone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Brand names:
Dexamethasone Intensol, De-Sone LA, Dxevo, ZoDex
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Dxevo Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Entocort EC 7.9 12 reviews for Entocort EC to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
budesonide systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Gastrocrom Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cromolyn systemic
Drug class:
mast cell stabilizers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
H.P. Acthar Gel Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
hydrocortisone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
hydrocortisone systemic
Brand names:
Cortef, Cortifoam, Cortenema, Solu-Cortef
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Learn more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Care guides

Medicine.com guides (external)

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.