title: Thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease revisited.
abstract: Although a great variety of new drugs have been introduced for the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases so far, a definite cure of the disease is still out of scope. An anti-inflammatory approach to induce remission followed by maintenance therapy with immunosupressants is still the mainstay of therapy. Thiopurines comprising azathioprine and its active metabolite mercaptopurine as well as tioguanine, are widely used in the therapy of chronic active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Their steroid sparing potential and efficacy in remission maintenance are out of doubt. Unfortunately, untoward adverse events are frequently observed and may preclude further administration or be life threatening. This review will focus on new aspects of thiopurine therapy in IBD, its efficacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department 1, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, 23538 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bär
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sina
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fellermann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018579:Patient Selection; D011687:Purines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D011687:Purines; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D013866:Thioguanine; D001379:Azathioprine
keywords: Azathioprine; Crohn’s disease; Mercaptopurine; Thiopurines; Tioguanine; Ulcerative colitis
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