Medical therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Despite advances in our understanding: of Crohn's disease and ulcerative co litis, the origins of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remain elusive. The armamentarium of therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of Crohn 's disease and ulcerative colitis works at various sites along the immunoin flammatory cascades. This article reviews the pharmacology, mechanisms of a ction, clinical efficacy, and adverse effects of traditional therapies, suc h as aminosalicylates and corticosteroids, and examines the expanding numbe r of immunomodulatory agents used in the management of IBD.