4 Medication Options for Crohn’s Disease Treatment
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition of inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease sufferers experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption among many other debilitating symptoms. Due to this debilitation Crohn’s disease sufferers are on the look out for different types of Crohn’s disease treatment. Crohn’s disease treatment can range from medicine to surgical procedures. Let’s take a look at medication as the method of Crohn’s disease treatment in further detail.
First of all, medication for Crohn’s disease only has the power to alleviate the pain, inflammation, and manage the condition. There currently is no medication available that will cure Crohn’s disease. The good news is that there are a bevy of Crohn’s disease medicines available. You and your doctor can find the medicine that is right for you.
What Crohn’s disease medications are available and what are their side effects? Following is a list of Crohn’s disease medications currently available with newer medicines emerging every day.
Crohn’s disease treatment #1: 5-aminosalicyclic acid drugs…
These are a group of medicines that are similar to aspirin in that they reduce inflammation in the bowel.
The first option is Sulfasalazine which contains sulfa and 5-aminoslicyclic acid. Sulfasalzine has been shown to stunt the production of chemicals that are associated with inflammation. Sulfasalzine has been around for years and is inexpensive. Sulfasalzine has common side effects that include nausea and headaches. More rare side effects include reduced sperm count and your body destroys your own red blood cells.
Other options include Olsalazine and Mescalamine. These are similar to Sulfasalzine except they do not contain sulfa. These medicines have fewer side effects than Sulfasalzine.
Crohn’s disease treatment #2: Corticosteroids…
Corticosteroids provide extensive anti-inflammatory benefits. Corticosteroids are one of the highest prescribed medicines for Crohn’s disease. An example is Prednisone. However, Prednisone can have many side effects including: hypertension, weight gain, skin problems, etc.
Crohn’s disease treatment #3: Immunosuppressive drugs…
Inflammation can occur due to an immune system that works too hard. Therefore, immunosuppressive drugs work to suppress the immune system and thus reduce inflammation. Sometimes these drugs are used if the 5-Aminsalicylic and corticosteroid medicines were not effective.
Common immunosuppressive drugs include Azathioprine and 6-MP. Side effects of these medicines include severe headaches, nausea, and a drop in white blood cell count that is below a safe level.
Crohn’s disease treatment #4: Antidiarrheal and pain medication…
If you have Crohn’s disease then you will most likely deal with persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain. For diarrhea you can use over the counter drugs such as Immodium. Your doctor can also prescribe Lomotil for diarrhea. Side effects of Antidiarrheal pain include constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea.
For pain you can take an over the counter pain medication such as a Tylenol. If over the counter pain relievers are not strong enough your doctor can prescribe you Vicodin or Tylenol with Codeine. Common side effects of these medications include: nausea, constipation, dizziness, disorientation, and sweating.
It is now up to you to work with your doctor to find out which medication is safe for you and is the most effective in relieving your Crohn’s disease symptoms.
