Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It mostly affects the ileum, the lower region of the small intestine. A number of treatments for Crohn's disease are available, including immune modifiers. These work by blocking the immune reaction that causes inflammation. They may also improve the efficacy of other Crohn's disease treatments, and allow the dose of steroids drugs, which are commonly used to treat Crohn's disease, to be reduced.
Azathioprine
The oral drug azathioprine suppress the immune system and is often prescribed to patients who have undergone a kidney transplant and those with rheumatoid arthritis. A study published in 1995 in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" found that azathioprine was effective in treating active Crohn's disease and also in maintaining disease remission. According to the website Patient UK, azathioprine can cause adverse reaction such as myelosuppression, hepatitis and pancreatitis. Common side effects may include minor nausea, vomiting and flu-like symptoms. The website notes, however, that azathioprineare is tolerated by 75 percent of patients.
6-Mercaptopurine
Results of clinical trials published in 1980 in the "New England Medical Journal" show that 6-Mercaptopurine, an oral immune modifier, is an effective treatment for Crohn's disease. Lead author Dr. Daniel H. Present notes that 6-Mercaptopurine was more effective than placebo in closing fistulas, and also enabled steroid dosage to be reduced. Dr. Present notes, however, that 6-Mercaptopurine is slow-acting and may take several months to have any effect. Cambridge University Hospitals states that patients taking 6-Mercaptopurine need to have regular blood and liver function tests to ensure that the drug is working correctly and to reduce the potential for serious side effects.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate is an oral anticancer drug often used to treat skin, head, neck and lung cancers. It may also be prescribed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. It works by inhibiting cell growth. Findings from a study published in the "American Journal of Gastroenterology" found that methotrexate is an effective long-term maintenance treatment for patients with chronically active Crohn's disease. Lead author M. Lemann also notes that side effects from long-term methotrexate were only moderate. Headache, cough, nausea and blurred vision are common side effects, notes Drugs.com.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Crohn's Disease
- MedlinePlus: Azathioprine
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Azathioprine and 6-Mercaptopurine in Crohn Disease; David C. Pearson, et al.; July 1995
- Patient UK: Crohn's Disease
- "New England Medical Journal"; Treatment of Crohn's Disease with 6-Mercaptopurine --- A Long-Term, Randomized, Double-Blind Study; Daniel H. Present, et al.; May 1980
