Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the layers of the digestive tract, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, blood in the stool, weight loss and a poor appetite. Fortunately, medications exist to manage the disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications, such as mesalamine sulfasalazine and corticosteroids, serve as the first step in treating Crohn's disease, reports the Mayo Clinic. These medications work to decrease the inflammation that occurs on the digestive tract tissues.
According to MedlinePlus, mesalamine's side effects include a dry mouth, a sore throat, sweating, trouble falling asleep, vomiting, nausea and a headache. Sulfasalazine's side effects include a poor appetite, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, a skin rash and a headache, says the Drugs website. Corticosteroids are typically used when other medications do not work. The Mayo Clinic says that its side effects include facial swelling, night sweats, hyperactivity and trouble sleeping.
Immunosupressant Medications
Immunosupressant medications also prevents gastrointestinal inflammation as the immune system can no longer functions properly to mount an attack against the digestive tract tissues.
The Mayo Clinic indicates that mercaptopurine and azathioprine are commonly used immunosupressant drugs to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Unfortunately, they say that these drugs may take two to four months to become effective.
Infliximab is another immunosuppresant medication indicated for Crohn's disease. According to MedlinePlus, infliximab is a tumor-necrosis factor inhibitor that interferes with the production of a certain substance that leads to inflammation. Side effects include nausea, heartburn, a runny nose and back pain.
Methotrexate, cyclosporine and natalizumab are a few other types of immunosupressant drugs used to treat Crohn's disease, says the Mayo Clinic.
Other Medications
Antibiotic medications, such as metronidazole, can also be used to treat Crohn's disease. MedlinePlus says that metronidazole's side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach problems, fever and joint pain.
The Mayo Clinic says that laxatives may lead to intestinal swelling which, in turn leads to constipation. Anti-diarrheal medications and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, can also manage Crohn's disease.
