Dr. Elizabeth Squirell · Gastroenterologist · Kingston Health Sciences Centre

How IBD treatment works

The goal of treatment, the main groups of IBD medicines, biosimilars, surgery, food and smoking, explained in plain words.

Key points

The goal is to calm the inflammation, not just the symptoms. Your team checks with stool, blood and bowel tests.
Keep taking your medicine when you feel well. Stopping can bring back a flare.
Steroids (like prednisone) are for short-term use only. Never stop them suddenly. Follow the taper your team gives you.
If a medicine is not working well enough after a fair trial, ask about other options. There are many.
A biosimilar works the same way as the original biologic. Many people in Canada have switched safely.
Surgery is a good treatment for some people. It is not a failure.
If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for Crohn's disease. Ask for help to quit.
Before you start or change any medicine, supplement or diet, check with your IBD team or pharmacist.