DRUG-THERAPY OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY BOWE L-DISEASE

Because the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease an d ulcerative colitis) remains unclear, the major objective of drug the rapy is to suppress the symptoms of disease activity. Corticosteroids are the most effective treatment in acute severe inflammation. Steroid s are first administered in high doses, than reduced over a period of 6 weeks to a low maintenance dose and finally slowly tailered after 3 months. Aminosalicylates are effective in mild relapses, helpful in th e maintenance therapy and may accompany corticosteroid therapy in acut e severe inflammatory activity. Azathioprine represent a potential dru g in complicated inflammatory bowel disease and offer a steroid-sparin g effect. Metronidazol helps to close fistulas and their complications . Therapeutic developments promise a new approach but require careful prospective evaluation.