Medication for Crohn's Disease in Children

Gastroenterologists at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone often prescribe medications to treat children with Crohn’s disease. Medications can reduce inflammation and help the intestines to heal. This results in remission. These medications may also prevent the return of symptoms.

Your child’s doctor develops a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of the condition, the results of diagnostic tests, and the response to medication. Our doctors often prescribe medication in combination with nutritional changes.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can relieve symptoms of Crohn’s disease quickly. They are typically used for short periods to help control inflammation and relieve symptoms.

These medications can be taken by mouth, through a vein with intravenous (IV) infusion, or as an enema or suppository.

Biologic Therapies

Biologic therapies, or biologics, are medications that target specific proteins in the body, preventing them from causing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. These can include anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents, which block a protein that promotes inflammation in the intestine. Another biologic is anti-integrin therapy, in which a protein located on the surface of cells that causes inflammation is blocked.

These medications are administered through IV infusion or injection.

Immunomodulators

Immunomodulators suppress or regulate activity in the immune system to reduce inflammation. Your child’s doctor may prescribe them if corticosteroids fail to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms or prevent the return of symptoms. The use of these medications can reduce the need for corticosteroids.

Some types of immunomodulators are taken daily by mouth. Others are administered through weekly injections. Our specialists can teach you how to administer these injections to your child.

Antibiotics

Your child’s doctor may prescribe antibiotics to control symptoms. If your child has a fistula, which is a tunnel in the intestine, or abscesses, which are pus-filled pockets, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to manage or reduce the risk of infection.

They may be taken by mouth or via an IV infusion.