Drug Approval

In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved certolizumab (Cimzia) for adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease that has not responded to other therapies. Certolizumab is an anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drug that is given through a shot (injection).

Drug Warnings

• In 2008 the FDA alerted health care professionals that they should carefully monitor patients being treated with anti-TNF drugs for signs of opportunistic infections, particularly fungal infections. Some patients receiving these drugs who have not been treated promptly for these infections have died. Signs and symptoms of system fungal infections include fever, weakness, weight loss, cough, and difficulty breathing.
• In 2008, the label for natalizumab (Tysabri) was updated to include information on potential liver injury. Some patients who take natalizumab have had signs of liver injury as early as 6 days after starting the drug. The new label advises doctors to immediately discontinue natalizumab if jaundice or other symptoms of liver damage occur. Natalizumab is a biologic drug approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease. It carries other serious risks, including a rare neurological condition called progressive mulifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Treatment for Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease cannot be cured, but appropriate treatment can help suppress the inflammatory response and manage symptoms.

• Diet and nutrition management and help patients control their symptoms and improve their nutritional status.
• Various medications are used to resolve symptoms (induce remission) and prevent disease flare-ups (induce remission).
• Most patients with severe Crohn's disease eventually need surgery when medications and diet and lifestyle changes no longer help. Surgical procedures include strictureplasty, resection, colectomy, and proctocolectomy.