Treatments

There are many different treatments available to help you live well with your Crohn’s or Colitis. Together with your IBD team, you can decide what treatment is right for you.

At first, medicines aim to reduce inflammation in the gut to bring about remission. Remission is when you feel better and your Crohn's or Colitis symptoms aren't bothering you. Once the condition is under control, your doctor will usually continue to prescribe drugs to maintain remission and prevent relapse (feeling unwell again) – this is called maintenance treatment.

Medicines to treat Crohn's and Colitis

Immunosuppressant medicines
These medicines control the immune system to stop it attacking the gut:

• Adalimumab
• Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine
• Biologic Drugs
• Etrasimod
• Filgotinib
• Golimumab 
• Infliximab
• Methotrexate
• Mirikizumab
• Ozanimod
• Risankizumab
• Steroids
• Tofacitinib
• Upadacitinib
• Ustekinumab 
• Vedolizumab 

Other medicines

• Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs)
• Other treatments for Crohn's and Colitis

Surgery

Sometimes people with Crohn's or Colitis require surgery. A range of surgeries can be recommended and these guides looks at what they are and when they are necessary, weighing up the pros and cons in the process:

• Surgery for Crohn's Disease
• Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis

Other forms of treatment

Browse all our information for details about other forms of treatment for Crohn’s and Colitis, including dietary therapy, counselling and controlling fatigue.