Cyclosporine for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
How Well It Works
Medicines that suppress the immune system have been effective against IBD. Cyclosporine usually is used for Reference ulcerative colitis Opens New Window that does not respond to other medicines. Cyclosporine tends to work more quickly than other immunosuppressive medicines, such as azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine, during an acute attack of IBD.
Cyclosporine has been shown to reduce the need for surgery in acute attacks of IBD. It also works to put ulcerative colitis in remission and keep the disease in remission for a short time.Reference 1 This allows people to try other medicines to suppress IBD symptoms.
Cyclosporine also is used in treating abnormal connections (Reference fistulas Opens New Window) of the intestines in Crohn's disease. In rare cases, cyclosporine may be used in people with Crohn's disease that does not improve with other medicines. But the side effects of the medicine keep it from being used for very long. Symptoms usually come back when the medicine is stopped.Reference 1
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 8, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology |
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