Azathioprine and Infliximab: Monotherapy or Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Crohn's Disease

Clinical Medicine Insights: Gastroenterology

Review

Steedman A. Sarbah¹  Fred C. Fowler²  Bryan L. Love³  Lisa S. Smith⁴ 

[1] Gastroenterology/Hepatology Division, WJB Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA.;Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Carolina Digestive Health Associates, Charlotte, NC, USA.;South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.;Gastroenterology/Hepatology Division, WJB Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA.;Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Wingate, NC, USA.;

关键词: inflammatory bowel disease;    crohn's disease;    infliximab;    azathioprine;   

DOI  :  10.4137/CGast.S5256

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract often resulting in complications resulting in decreased quality of life. Several classes of medications are available to clinicians including mesalamine, budesonide, systemic corticosteroids, thiopurine derivatives, and monoclonal antibodies which target tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Guidelines generally recommend reserving TNF-antagonists for patients who have failed other first-line therapies; however, emerging data suggests there may be some benefit in combining TNF-antagonists, specifically infliximab, with azathioprine. The purpose of this review is to compare the benefits and risks of combination therapy, and identify patients who may benefit most from this approach.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© 2011 SAGE Publications.

【 图 表 】

Figure 6.