These drugs stop or damp down the inflammation typical of IBD. They include:
5-ASA (aminosalicylates): Pentasa®, Salofalk®, Salazopyrin®, Asacol®, Mesavant®, Mesasal®
Corticosteroids, often just called Steroids: Prednisone (Delatsone®), Budenoside (Entocort®), Methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol®), Betamethasone (Betnesol®), Hydrocortisone (Cortenema®)
Immunosuppressants: Azathiopurine (Imuran®), 6-Mercaptopurine (Purinethol®), Cyclosporine (Neoral / Sandimmune®), Methotrexate
Biologics: Infliximab (Remicade®), Adalimumab (Humira®), Golimumab (Simponi®), Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) Ustekinumab (Stelara®), Vedolizumab (Entyvio®) and biosimilars: Infliximab (Inflectra®)
These are used to help reduce symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation or pain, but cannot reduce the inflammation. They may include antidiarrhoeals, laxatives, anti-spasmodics, and analgesics (painkillers).
These drugs are covered in more detail in the corresponding sections.