How to Treat Crohn's Disease With Immune System Suppressors

Reducing inflammation associated with Crohn's disease is critical to managing the pain of the disease. Immune system suppressors are effective in treating Crohn's disease by targeting the immune system's response to the bacteria. The invading bacteria damages the digestive tract, resulting in inflammation.

Instructions

Attack Inflammation with Immune System Suppressors

1. Consider the use of azathioprine (Imuran) and mercaptopurine (Purinethol) as immune system suppressors used to treat Crohn's disease. The effectiveness may not be realized for as long as 3 months, but these medications are particularly helpful in healing fistulas.

2. Expect infliximab (Remicade) to be considered a possibility for treating Crohn's disease when other drugs fail. It neutralizes the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) produced by the immune system before it can cause intestinal tract inflammation.

3. Plan for your doctor to consider adalimumab (Humira) to treat Crohn's disease when infliximab and other treatments have not been effective as immune system suppressors. This bi-weekly injection is used to reduce the symptoms of Crohn's and possibly cause remission of the disease.

4. Research the possibility of methotrexate (Rheumatrex) as an immune system suppressor to treat of difficult cases of Crohn's disease. Methotrexate is commonly used in the treatment of cancer. The effectiveness is not apparent until about 10 weeks into treatment.

5. Investigate the use of cyclosporine (Neoral or Sandimmune) if other medications have been ineffective in treating Crohn's disease. Cyclosporine is a fast-working medication, but the potential for serious side effects is much higher than with other immune system suppressors.

Tips & Warnings

• Before starting on any immune system suppressors, it's imperative that you tell your physician about all medications you take, including over-the-counter herbs, supplements and pain control.

• Be thorough in disclosing all medical issues such as heart disease, diabetes and any immune disorders.

• Look for adverse side effects to azathioprine such as vomiting, muscle aches, mouth sores, blurred vision and lack of energy.

• Side effects of mercaptopurine include darkening of the skin, hair loss, blood in urine or stool and difficulty breathing.

• Infliximab is not for patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer or heart failure.

• Adalimumab has been known to cause serious infections such as tuberculosis. A skin test for tuberculosis is required before initiating treatment with adalimumab.

• Stop using methotrexate and call your physician or go to the emergency room if you have shortness of breath, decreased urination, weakness or clay-colored stools.

• Cyclosporine carries the possibility of seizures, fatal infections, liver damage and an increase in the risk of lymphoma.