Treatments for IBD
(IBD) is a term that describes conditions with chronic or recurring immune response and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that is limited to the large bowel (the colon). Ulcerative colitis affects the top layers of the lining of the colon in an even distribution. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, the urgency to have a bowel movement, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue, and weight loss. There are medications available to help control the symptoms and achieve remission of Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Common forms of treatment include medications are taken orally, enemas, suppositories, injectable medications, and IV infusions. Particularly, our office specializes in the use of Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, and Simponi to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
Crohn’s Disease is a condition of chronic inflammation potentially involving any location of the gastrointestinal tract, but it frequently affects the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the large bowel. The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. Common symptoms of Crohn’s are diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever.
Our goal of any treatment is to attain long term remission – a period of time during which patients are symptom free
- Remicade is a medication typically administered once every 8 weeks via IV infusion. This is used to treat both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis. Our office has a Remicade infusion center where you will comfortably receive your Remicade infusion by a skilled Registered Nurse.
- Humira is a medication administered every other week via subcutaneous injection. This is used to treat both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis. The injection uses a very small needle attached to an easy to use pen syringe and takes only 10 seconds to complete. Our medical staff is trained to administer Humira and also instruct patients so that future injections can be by patients in the comfort of their home.
- Cimzia is a medication administered once every four weeks via subcutaneous injection. This is approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Cimzia is available in a pre-filled syringe and uses a very small needle to administer the medication just under the skin. Our medical staff can both administer and train patients to self-administer Cimzia in their homes.
- Simponi is a medication administered once every four weeks via subcutaneous injection. It is approved for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. The medication is available in a pre-filled syringe and autoinjector pen. It is administered via a small needle just under the skin. Our medical staff can both administer and train patients to self-administer Simponi in their homes.