Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that is used to describe long-term inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can lead to damage, such as tissue ulceration. Two conditions come under the IBD umbrella term – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Ulcerative colitis occurs only in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. The damaged areas of tissue occur only on the innermost lining and are continuous – not patchy, and usually start at the rectum and spread into the colon.
Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract – from the mouth to the anus, although it usually affects the area of the small intestine just before it joins the large intestine. The areas of tissue damage are patchy, and often right next to areas of healthy tissue and the inflammation may reach through multiple layers of the GI tract.
What are the symptoms of IBD?
Symptoms of IBD are the same for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and include:
Persistent diarrhea
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stools
Abdominal pain and cramping
Fatigue
Unintended weight loss.
The only way to know which one you have is through further investigations done by a doctor, which may include stool samples, blood tests, imaging studies, endoscopy, or colonoscopy.
What causes IBD?
Experts are unsure of the exact cause of IBD but it does tend to run in families. They also suggest that environmental triggers, such as viruses or bacteria, may weaken the immune system, making it more vulnerable to inflammation.
Most people who develop IBD are diagnosed before they're 30 years old although it can develop later in life. Cigarette smoking is the most important controllable risk factor for developing Crohn's disease although smoking may help protect against ulcerative colitis. However, its harm to overall health outweighs any benefit.
What is used to treat IBD?
For some people, IBD is only mild but for others, it can severely impact their way of life.
Common medications used to treat IBD include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
5-aminosalicylic acids
Immunomodulators
Corticosteroids
Biologics
Surgery.
Drugs used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
