title: Review article: immunosuppressive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: Refractory inflammatory bowel disease can be treated by surgery or using nutritional supplementation or replacement. Immunosuppressive agents may also play a role for refractory disease; they have gained widespread acceptance, due not only to trials that demonstrate efficacy but also to the realization that these side-effects are minor compared to those associated with long-term, high-dose corticosteroids. To date, 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine remain the drugs of choice based upon extensive clinical experience, but both methotrexate and cyclosporin are promising immunosuppressants for otherwise refractory disease.
authors: Virginia Mason Clinic, Seattle, Washington 98101.
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Kozarek
mesh_terms: D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate