Inflamatory Bowel Disease
IBD
General  Overview
Medications for IBD
CROHN   DISEASE     
  ULCERATIVE  COLITIS
💡 Feature 🟢 Crohn Disease 🔵 Ulcerative Colitis
🧬 Affected Area Small bowel in 80% of cases; often spares the rectum. Confined to the colon; rectum is always involved.
🩸 Rectal Bleeding Rare (except in severe colitis cases). Always present.
🌀 Lesion Pattern Patchy (skip lesions), with normal areas between diseased segments. Continuous and uninterrupted from rectum proximally.
🤕 Complications Fistulas, abscesses, and strictures are common. Fistulas and abscesses do not occur.
🔬 Microscopic Findings Transmural inflammation with granulomas (25-50%). Confined to the mucosa; no granulomas present.
🔎 Diagnosis Imaging Asymmetrical bowel wall thickening on x-ray. Symmetrical inflammation on imaging.
🩺 Perianal Lesions Significant in 25-35% of cases. Never occurs.
Medication overview
IBD

Medication – Patients Version
Medication Purpose How to Take Side Effects
5-Aminosalicylic Acid (5-ASA, Mesalamine) Reduces gut inflammation, commonly used for mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease. Orally (tablets or delayed-release forms) or rectally (suppositories/enemas) depending on disease location. Nausea, headache, rare kidney issues; requires folate supplements with sulfasalazine.
Corticosteroids Used for short-term relief during flare-ups of inflammation. Orally (prednisone) or via IV for severe cases; taper dosage after symptom improvement. Weight gain, mood changes, blood sugar issues; not for long-term use.
Immunomodulating Medications Helps reduce long-term inflammation and maintain remission. Orally or via injections depending on the drug; requires regular monitoring. Nausea, bone marrow suppression, liver issues; increased cancer risk with long-term use.
Biologic Agents Targets immune pathways to control inflammation in moderate to severe cases. Given via injection or infusion; doses vary by specific drug and patient response. Risk of infection, infusion reactions, tuberculosis reactivation; requires prior screening.
Small-Molecule Agents Used for refractory cases by targeting specific immune-related pathways. Taken orally; dosage depends on severity and drug type (e.g., tofacitinib, upadacitinib). Liver issues, infection risk, and cardiac complications with some medications.
Antibiotics and Probiotics Reduces infection risk and restores gut balance; mainly for Crohn's disease. Orally; antibiotics are taken for a set period, while probiotics are taken daily. Antibiotics: Potential neurotoxicity; Probiotics: Minimal side effects.