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Which IBD Medication Is Right for You? 5 Key Factors to Consider


— Alan Moss, MD, chief scientific officer at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
To help patients and caregivers make informed decisions, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offers an easy-to-use IBD Medication Guide, which provides up-to-date information on all treatments that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Here are five important considerations to discuss with your doctor when choosing an IBD medication.
1. Disease Location: Crohn’s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis
Your specific diagnosis — Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis — guides many treatment decisions. These two forms of IBD affect different parts of the digestive tract and may respond differently to certain medications.
2. Disease Activity
Your doctor will consider how often you’ve had flare-ups and hospital stays or needed steroids in the past to help choose the best medication for you.
3. Previous Medication Exposure and Treatment Response
4. Special Scenarios: Age, Pregnancy, and Extraintestinal Symptoms
Certain life stages and health situations can affect which medications are safest and most effective.
5. Lifestyle, Preferences, and Shared Decision-Making
Your personal preferences and lifestyle should play a major role in choosing the right IBD medication. Considerations include:
- How the medication is taken (oral pill, self-injection, or intravenous [IV] infusion in a clinic)
- How often you need to take or receive the medication (daily, weekly, or every eight weeks)
- Your comfort with needles or infusions
- The impact of the medication on your daily life, work, or school schedule
- Insurance coverage and cost (sometimes your plan will dictate which medications are and are not covered)
By working closely with your healthcare team and staying informed, you can find a treatment plan that helps you achieve remission and maintain a good quality of life.