ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS

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®)

SUPPLEMENTAL THERAPY

• Antibiotics. These are used to treat and in some cases prevent bacterial infections. They tend to be used for CD rather than for UC
• Probiotics

SYMPTOMATIC DRUGS

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.