Medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: new therapies, new drugs.

Ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis and Crohn's disease are chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Conventional treatment has stressed the role of anti-inflammatory agents to suppress the inflammatory response. New compounds that can deliver 5-aminosalicylic acid to the colon have recently been released in Canada. Metronidazole and azathioprine may also be of benefit in Crohn's disease. Therapy with cyclosporine and clonidine should be based on the results of further clinical trials. The use of nutritional support as primary therapy in Crohn's disease appears promising. At present, both pharmacologic and nutritional therapies should be considered in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.