Crohn's & Colitis

What Crohn’s Medications Treat

Crohn’s disease medication typically works by targeting specific areas of the immune system. These medications can be used to treat symptoms like:

• Chronic inflammation in the GI tract
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Digestive damage caused by immune overactivity

These medications can also be used for controlling flare-ups and supporting long-term remission

Types of Crohn’s Disease Medications Offered

Crohn’s disease can be treated using a lot of different medications.

Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs)

These types of medications are made up of 5-aminosalicylic acid. They help by reducing mild to moderate inflammation in the GI tract's lining. These medications are more effective for treating issues in the colon—they are not as effective for the treatment of the small intestine.

Corticosteroids

These medications work by suppressing the response of the immune system. They affect the entirety of the immune system rather than just the part of it responsible for the inflammation. These are not maintenance medications. They work for acute flare-ups. There are oral and rectal forms of these medications available.

Immunomodulators

These medications also prevent inflammation by suppressing responses from the patient’s immune system. They usually are not a first choice for treatment and may take months before they start working. These medications are often used when aminosalicylates and corticosteroids have not been effective enough.

Biologic Therapies

Biologic therapies also stop inflammation in the intestines. They do this by blocking specific chemicals in the body that are responsible for this inflammation. Some work by blocking integrins. Others act on proteins to reduce inflammation. There are also anti-TNF biologics that work by binding and blocking inflammation-causing proteins located in the patient’s intestines and other areas of the body.

Antibiotic

Some patients may be prescribed antibiotics for the prevention of infections that are caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria and stopping them from growing or spreading. Too much growth of this bacteria is believed to be a cause for the development of Crohn’s disease. These antibiotics may also be prescribed in response to another immune system-weakening medication that the patient is taking.

Combination Therapy

This is when more than one medication is used for the patient’s treatment. This is often a combination of a biologic medication and an immunomodulator for Crohn’s disease. This is sometimes more effective than monotherapy.

Popular Crohn’s Medications Available

• Mesalamine (Pentasa, Asacol) These medications are used for the prevention of flare-ups. It is best used for mild or moderate cases. It can also help alleviate some of the other related symptoms and inflammation.
• Budesonide (Entocort EC) Budesonide falls under the category of corticosteroids. It is useful for reducing inflammation by suppressing the immune system's responses in the body. These come in the form of orally taken tablets.
• Azathioprine (Imuran) This medication also comes in the form of a tablet and is taken orally. It helps treat a variety of different immune diseases. It can help minimize the number of flare-ups. This medication is a part of the immunosuppressants class and works by limiting immune system activity.
• Methotrexate Methotrexate is a weekly medication used for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. It helps by changing the function of the immune system. It is a part of the immunosuppressant class and works by stopping cells in the body from being able to use folic acid to make DNA and helping to control gut inflammation.
• Infliximab (Remicade, Biosimilars) Remicade is a biologic medication. There are a few different biosimilar versions of this medication as well. It comes in the form of an infusion and is used for the treatment of autoimmune conditions. This is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking medication. This means the medication works by blocking the protein that causes inflammation.
• Adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita, Hadlima) This medication comes in the form of an injection. It is usually taken bi-weekly and works by changing how the immune system reacts. This medication is also a TNF blocker and blocks inflammation-causing proteins in the body.
• Ustekinumab (Stelara) This medication can be used to reduce inflammation within the patient’s gut. This is a type of biologic medicine that is made with living cells. It is an antibody that targets IL-12 and IL-23 and blocks their effects in the body. This helps alleviate inflammation and changes the function of the immune system.
• Vedolizumab (Entyvio) This is a type of integrin receptor antagonist. It comes in the form of an injection and blocks the actions of some cells within the body that are responsible for causing inflammation.

Why Order Crohn’s Meds from MyRx Outlet

Save money on expensive biologic and prescription therapies when ordering through MyRx Outlet. We offer medications from licensed Canadian pharmacies and additional expert support. We make sure that all medications are shipped securely and discreetly to patients’ homes in the U.S. We also offer support for easy prescription transfers and coordinating refills.