| Aminosalicylates |
Mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa) Sulfasalazine (Azulfadine) Olsalazine (Dipentum) Balsalazide (Colazal) |
May be used to induce remission in mild CD or UC May be used to maintain remission in moderate CD or UC |
Headache Nausea Anorexia Leukopenia Diarrhea |
| Corticosteroids |
Prednisone Budesonide |
Used for induction of remission in CD and UC, not effective in maintenance of remission |
Increased risk of infection Hypertension Weight gain Acne Hirsuitism |
| Immunomodulators |
Azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan) 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol) |
Used for maintenance of remission in moderate to severe CD or UC |
Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Pancreatitis Hepatitis Myelosuppression |
|
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) |
May be used to maintain remission in moderate to severe CD or UC that does not respond to azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine |
Myelosuppression Oral ulcers Hepatitis |
|
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) |
Has been used to induce and maintain remission in refractory cases of UC |
Renal toxicity Hypertension Gingival hyperplasia Hirsuitism |
| Biologic Agents |
Infliximab (Remicade) |
May be used for refractory CD or steroid-dependent patients to induce and maintain remission |
Infusion reaction (chest pain, Hyper- or hypotension, And shortness of breath) Nausea Fever/Chills Hives Fatigue |
