These agents are often packed in special pill coatings or formulations to aid in getting active drug to the distal bowel before it is absorbed by the gut. Rectal enema formulations are also available. For those with active flares of whose disease does not respond to the above approaches, corticosteroids are useful, potent antiinflammatory drugs. ACTH, which is a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to produce extra natural steroids, is also used. While these drugs can be very effective in inducing a remission from symptoms, they have serious side effects.
Personality changes can occur, including irritability, insomnia, psychosis, and depression.
These drugs are not useful in maintenance therapy due to the above limitations. Antibiotic therapy can also be effective against many of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. These too have serious side effects. It too can have major side effects, mostly associated with its infusion, but it can be effective against Crohn's disease that has been unsuccessfully treated with other drugs. Researchers continue to look for more effective treatments.