5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) is a medication often used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It helps to controll active ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s colitis and keep mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in remission (period of recovery). Topics include: what does 5-ASA do, which 5-ASA you should take, how to take 5-ASA, what other medications you can take, and how 5-ASA will help. The pamphlet also describes side effects and how long you will need to take 5-ASA.
Corticosteroids (kor-ti-koh-STER-oids) are strong inhibitors of inflammation (swelling). To ‘inhibit’ means to slow down or cut down on something. This pamphlet explains what corticosteriods do, how they work, when they are used, and how they are given. Precautions, side effects, and what to expect after treatment are explained. Side effects that require contacting your primary health care provider are listed.
Your health care provider feels that treatment with methotrexate (meth-oh-TREX-ate) might help your Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These are both types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This pamphlet explains what methotrexate (MTX) is, how well it works, side effects of MTX, who should not take MTX, and precautions. Instructions for injecting MTX are given.