Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease

Unfortunately, not all treatment options work for everyone with Crohn’s disease. A good deal of trial and error is involved, along with monitoring how the illness progresses. However, there are a number of treatment options available today, including medications, surgical procedures like resection and strictureplasty, and a monitored diet.

Medication is the primary treatment option for Crohn’s disease and the least invasive. Traditionally, doctors will start with the safest drugs and move to stronger drugs to relieve and counteract symptoms. Still, the strongest drugs available, called TNF inhibitors, have been shown in many studies to be the most effective way to control Crohn’s disease. They do carry a number of serious risks, on the other hand. For this reason alone, many doctors prefer to begin with weaker medications. Many individuals also find themselves on a combination of drugs to manage the disease, including experimental medications in clinical trials.

Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a medication that is used to treat acne.  Accutane has many reported side effects.   It has been linked to bowel problems, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  In June 2009, the manufacturer of Accutane announced that it notified the FDA of its intent to discontinue the manufacture and distribution of Accutane.

However, a great number of patients with Crohn’s disease will eventually need surgery when medications fail to help. The most common type of procedure for patients is called a resection. This operation involves removing a piece of diseased tissue in either the large or small intestine and then reattaching the healthy portions. Another procedure performed on Crohn’s disease patients is called a strictureplasty, which is designed to save the bowel by widening an area of the small intestine that is narrowing. This procedure is common among patients that have had a number of resections of the small bowel as a condition called “short gut” syndrome can develop. This complication reduces the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from food and can be deadly.

Lastly, many people that suffer from Crohn’s disease will go on a special diet, particularly if they’ve had numerous resections and have lost some of their ability to absorb nutrients. To counteract this side effect, nutrients are introduced to the body through an IV line, completely bypassing the digestive process. This treatment option is generally only necessary for patients that have been through numerous surgical procedures.

Do you believe you or a loved one has been injured by Accutane®? Goldberg & Osborne can help.

The law firm of Goldberg & Osborne is dedicated to helping injured people nationwide and is currently accepting cases for Accutane® victims. For a FREE case evaluation, please call us toll-free at (800) 935-2770 or submit a short and simple online case form here.