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Crohn's Medications
and Treatments




Table of Contents



Serovera®

SEROVERA® AMP 500 is a non-prescription, GI-specific supplement that may be used to reduce inflammation and help maintain immunity in the gastrointestinal tract.

SEROVERA® gets right to work by releasing mucopolysaccharides that bind to special receptors lining your entire intestinal tract. These molecules establish a mesh-work of protection and are ultimately engulfed by the GI-lining.

SEROVERA® AMP 500 is extracted and freeze-dried under a controlled environment from the aloe vera plant. It is 100% organically certified, and contains zero toxins.

More and more patients are turning to SEROVERA® — they do this to avoid health problems caused by prescription and over the counter drugs. Unfortunately, most drugs are synthetic and can cause an array of defects and side-effects as you can see from the med-info provided above.

6-MP


Basically, 6-MP is an oral chemotherapy drug that was found out, by accident, to be good for Crohn's. Like most of the anti-metabolite drugs, it interferes with the proliferation of immune system cells in the intestine, and that means they can do less damage.

COMMENTS ON 6-MP:

Alison's comments: I have been on 6 MP for almost 3 years. It takes 3 months to take effect. The biggest side effect is hair loss. My hair got really thin at first and once my body got used to it, it started to grow back. In Aug 96 my doc increased it and after a few months my hair was getting very thin again. I wasn't going to let it get as thin as it was before because I couldn't stand it and it was embarassing, so I told my doc and nurse and they took me back to where I was before. Hopefully my hair will get thicker again real soon.

Barbara's comments: I've been on 6 MP for a year and a half. The only problem I've had with it is that it lowers my blood cell count. Right now, we are still experimenting with the dosage.

Sally's comments: I have been on 6-MP for almost two years now, which in the US is the limit. I have to have monthly blood tests since it causes a type of leukemia sometimes, but other than that I've had no flare-ups from my Crohn's. In l994, I had a large abscess pop in me that required surgery and three weeks in the hospital, and in 1995 I had high (104) temperatures for six weeks, which put me in the hospital for another two weeks and nothing was ever found after many tests as to what was causing the temps. At that time I was put on the 6-MP and have had no hospital visits yet!



Asacol


Asacol is used to treat chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes in the large intestine. Asacol checks the inflammation in the large intestine mucous membrane.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of Asacol are headaches, nausea, stomachache, diarrhea and skin reactions. Other, less common, side effects include fever, chest pains, tiredness and joint pains.

COMMENTS ON ASACOL:

Bob's comments: I've been on it for 2 years now. I really didn't notice any change in symptoms when I started on it. I can't say it has helped me as it has helped others, but I'm not going to stop taking it to find out.

Erik's comments: I have been using this drug for the past year. I take six daily, three and three. This drug seem to help, with no visible side effects other than nausea if I don't eat anything prior to taking it. This drug seems to regulate Crohn's very well. I have been able to control most of the effects of Crohn's.



Dulcolax


Dulcolax is used to treat temporary constipation, to emptying the intestines before x-rays and examinations of the intestines. Dulcolax should not be used when having acute stomach pains.

SIDE EFFECTS:
The most common side effects of Dulcolax include nausea and stomachache.
Rare side effects iclude irritation of the rectum.



Entocort


Entocort is a corticosteroid mainly used in the Crohn's treatment Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions. Entocort decreases the inflammation in the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of Entocort range from mild annoyances to serious irreversible bodily damages. Side effects include fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, potassium loss, headache, muscle weakness, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, irregular menses and convulsions.

COMMENTS ON ENTOCORT:

Mayer's comments: I have had Crohn's for over 6 years now and I have been taking Entocort for almost 4 months. It's incredible how I am feeling better now, finding this medicine was the most important thing to me. It's a shame that US has not approved this medicine yet, I hope it doesn't take long. It's really expensive to buy it from Europe and I can't afford it.

Martin's comments: I was diagnosed with Crohn's 3 years ago. After some bleedings, the doctor gave me Entocort Klysma, which I've been using for almost a year now. At first, I improved considerably, but after a few months that improvement came to a halt (bleeding once more). But still I'm positive about Entocort. When I use it less often, I'm start feeling worse. Let's hope the insurance keeps on paying it in the Netherlands!

?'s comments: I have been taking Entocort for several months. I suppose I'm lucky in that I have never had to take Prednisone, I was diagnosed just recently and the doctor immediately put me on Entocort. It has made a real difference in how I feel. It hasn't completely gotten rid of the problem, but it makes it possible for me to get through a day feeling almost normal. However, every time we lower the dosage things get worse. I'm just happy that it's available for use in Canada.



Flagyl


Flagyl is an antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites. Anaerobic bacteria are single-cell living organisms that thrive in low oxygen environments and can cause disease in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis), liver (liver abscess), and pelvis (abscess of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes). Giardia lamblia and ameba are parasites that can cause abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea in infected individuals. Flagyl selectively blocks some of the cell functions in these microorganisms, resulting in their demise.

SIDE EFFECTS: Flagyl is a valuable antibiotic and is generally well tolerated with appropriate use. Serious side effects of Flagyl are rare and include seizures and damage of nerves resulting in numbness and tingling of extremities (peripheral neuropathy). Flagyl should be stopped if these symptoms appear. Minor side effects include nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, a metallic taste, and rarely a rash. Alcoholic intakes can cause serious damages while on Flagyl!



Imodium


Imodium is used to normalize the intestine movements, obstruct liquid losses and increases the ability to hold the motion. Imodium is used to treat acute temporary diarrhea, chronic diarrhea and disability to hold the motion.
Imodium should not be used by Ulcerative Colitits patients!

SIDE EFFECTS:
Rare side effects of Imodium include headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, stomachache and constipation.



Imurel


Imurel is classified as an immunosuppressant medication. Imurel is used to suppress the immune system in patients who have had kidney transplants. Although its exact mechanism of action in rheumatoid arthritis is not known, its effect in suppressing the immune system appears to decrease the activity of this illness.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common serious side effects of Imurel involve the blood elements and gastrointestinal system. Imurel can cause serious lowering of the white blood cell count, resulting in an increased risk of infections. This can reverse when the dose is reduced or temporarily discontinued. Imurel can cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, which can resolve when the dose is reduced or divided through the day. Imurel can also cause liver toxicity. All patients taking Imurel require regular blood testing for blood counts and liver function tests for monitoring. Other side effects encountered less frequently include fatigue, hair loss, joint pains, and diarrhea.



Prednisolone


Prednisolone is a synthetic adrenal corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are natural substances produced by the adrenal glands located adjacent to the kidneys. Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties, and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. There are numerous preparations of corticosteroids including oral tablets, capsules, liquids, topical creams and gels, inhalers and eye drops, and injectable and intravenous solutions.

SIDE EFFECTS : Side effects of Prednisolone and other corticosteroids range from mild annoyances to serious irreversible bodily damages. Side effects include fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, potassium loss, headache, muscle weakness, puffiness of and hair growth on the face, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, growth retardation in children, convulsions, and psychic disturbances. Psychic disturbances can include depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and even psychotic behavior.

 


visitors since November 17, 1997

URL: https://www.angelfire.com/ga/crohns/meds.html

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