Treatment of Crohn’s disease

The severity of Crohn’s disease varies from person to person. To effectively manage Crohn’s disease, your doctor will need to evaluate the severity of your symptoms and condition, and determine which treatments would be most suitable for you.

As Crohn’s disease is a life-long condition, it is important to work with your doctor to find the treatment that allows you to continue leading a fulfilling life.

Treatments can help to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend one or a combination of treatments:

  • Anti‐inflammatory drugs such as aminosalicylates may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms and prevent flare ups
  • Corticosteroids are also used to treat flare ups, and to relieve abdominal pain and tenderness. They may be prescribed to people who do not respond to aminosalicylates and are used to treat moderate to severe active IBD
  • Immunosuppressants are generally prescribed when anti-inflammatory drugs have failed, and a person shows signs of more serious Crohn’s disease
  • Antibiotics may be useful for the induction of remission and in the treatment of complications of Crohn's disease
  • Biologics are generally prescribed for patients with moderate to severe IBD, where standard medical therapy has been insufficiently effective. They work by preventing or inhibiting specific biological proteins from triggering the processes within the inflammatory pathway
  • Surgery may be necessary for some people who have severe Crohn’s disease – while not a cure, surgery can help resolve some complications, such as formation of fistulae.

If you have any further questions about treatment options, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

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