Helpline Need to talk, need support? What is our helpline for?
0300 222 5700 Email
Make a donation Become a member
Make a donation
Become a member

Treatments

selection of pills and pill bottles

Treatment for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis depends on how severe the symptoms are, and how much of the gut is affected. 

selection of pills and pill bottles
Print Save to My Page

There are many different treatments available to help you live well with your Crohn’s or Colitis. Together with your IBD team, you can decide what treatment is right for you.

At first, medicines aim to reduce inflammation in the gut to bring about remission. Remission is when you feel better and your Crohn's or Colitis symptoms aren't bothering you. Once the condition is under control, your doctor will usually continue to prescribe drugs to maintain remission and prevent relapse (feeling unwell again) – this is called maintenance treatment.

Medicines to treat Crohn's and Colitis

Immunosuppressant medicines
These medicines control the immune system to stop it attacking the gut:

Other medicines

Surgery

Sometimes people with Crohn's or Colitis require surgery. A range of surgeries can be recommended and these guides looks at what they are and when they are necessary, weighing up the pros and cons in the process:

Other forms of treatment

Browse all our information for details about other forms of treatment for Crohn’s and Colitis, including dietary therapy, counselling and controlling fatigue.

About
Crohn's and Colitis

Support
for you

Page
saved

This page has been saved in your personal space. Go to “My Page” to view all saved pages.

Go to My Page Close
Helpline service

Helpline
Service

We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.

Our helpline team can help by:

  • Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.

  • Listening and talking through your situation.

  • Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.

  • Providing details of other specialist organisations.

Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.

Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).

Live chat

If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.

Would you like to save the changes made to this page?