Medicines Aminosalicylates are a group of medicines which include sulfasalazine, mesalazine, balsalazide and olsalazine. - The active ingredient of all these medicines is 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), with each product having a different way of getting the 5-ASA to the site of the Crohn’s disease.
- 5-ASA has a chemical structure similar to aspirin. People who are allergic to aspirin, should not take aminosalicylates.
- They reduce the inflammation of the digestive system during a flare-up.
- Aminosalicylates can cause blood disorders and you should tell your doctor immediately if you suffer from unexplained bleeding, bruising, sore throat and fever.
- The use of sulfasalazine has been associated with a lowered sperm count.
Corticosteroids are a group of medicines which include budesonide, prednisolone and prednisone.
- Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by decreasing the production of prostaglandins, substances in the body associated with pain and inflammation.
- They are used to treat inflammation during a flare-up.
- Long-term use of high-dose oral corticosteroids is associated with a range of side-effects including osteoporosis (a weakening of bone strength), acne or diabetes.
Immune suppressants are a group of medicines which include azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, ciclosporin and methotrexate. - Immune suppressants reduce the body’s immune response and so prevent the inflammation of Crohn’s disease.
- Because these drugs may cause severe side-effects, their use is restricted to patients where other therapy has failed or caused side-effects.
Antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, are used in patients with, or where there is a risk of, infection. Crohn’s disease may be caused by bacteria which trigger an abnormal immune response. The benefit of antibiotics in Crohn’s disease may, in part, be related to their ability to reduce bacterial infection.
If you are taking metronidazole, you should avoid alcohol as the combination will make you feel sick.
Antidiarrhoea medicines, such as diphenoxylate, loperamide or psyllium, are used in individuals with mild-to-moderate diarrhoea.
They should only be used after discussion with your doctor, in case they cause excessive slowing of the digestive system. |