Immunomodulators for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn's disease

Azathioprine and mercaptopurine work to keep people who have Crohn's disease in Reference remission Opens New Window. They are also used to allow the person to stop using corticosteroids.^{Reference 1}

Mercaptopurine may be able to prevent Crohn's disease from coming back after surgery. It can at least lengthen the amount of time without disease after surgery. It's likely that azathioprine works as well.^{Reference 1}

Both azathioprine and mercaptopurine can treat and heal fistulas.^{Reference 1}

Methotrexate works to stop symptoms of active Crohn's disease and to put the disease in remission. It can keep Crohn's disease in remission when taken long term. It is also used to help people who have Crohn's disease stop taking corticosteroids.^{Reference 1}

Ulcerative colitis

Azathioprine and mercaptopurine work to stop active symptoms of ulcerative colitis. They can also be used to help people who have ulcerative colitis stop taking corticosteroids.^{Reference 1}

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