These alter the immune response by inhibiting the natural killer cell activity and suppressing T-cell function. These drugs are used when conventional therapy fails and when trying to cut down steroid use. Other drugs used are cyclosporine and methotrexate. The former is another T-cell inhibitor and the latter impairs DNA synthesis. Infliximab , a new biologic agent, is used for patients not responding to the immune response drugs and for those patients with perianal fistulizing disease.
Elemental diets are of benefit to Crohn's patients.
They are composed of simple sugars and amino acids that do not require digestion. This type of diet alters the intestinal luminal contents and provides relief for the bowel while medical therapy is initiated. TPN can help correct many of the nutritional deficits in Crohn's patients. Patients may require surgery earlier if they develop intra-abdominal abscesses or free air perforation, which is rare. This term refers to the malabsorptive state that occurs after removal of a substantial segment of small intestine.