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What Is the Best Medication for Crohn's Disease?

By Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM

April 08, 2025

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Prescription Drugs, Your Health & Wellness

What is the Best Medication for Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful inflammation in the digestive tract. It is one of two common inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) forms. Symptoms include abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, ulcers, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and bloody stool. However, the disease can also cause symptoms outside the GI tract. If you or someone you love is suffering from this condition, choosing the best medication can be daunting.

What is the best medicine for Crohn's disease?

Ultimately, you should decide which medication is best to discuss with your healthcare provider, as it depends on your health factors. Still, this article is designed to guide you through some options for treating Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease medication list

Many possible medications can be used to treat Crohn's disease.

Medication	Drug Class	Common Adult Dosage	WellRx Savings Card
Adalimumab	Biologic	10-80 mg weekly	WellRx Savings card
Mesalamine	5-ASA	1600 mg daily divided	WellRx Savings Card
Infliximab	Biologic	5-10 mg/kg every 8 weeks for maintenance	WellRx Savings Card
Azathioprine	Immunomodulator	1.5-4 mg/kg daily	WellRx Savings Card
Sulfasalazine	5-ASA	3-4 g/day divided	WellRx Savings Card
Budesonide	Steroid	9 mg daily	WellRx Savings Card
Certolizumab	Biologic	400 mg monthly	WellRx Savings Card
Ciprofloxacin	Antibiotic	1 mg daily	WellRx Savings Card
Balsalazide	5-ASA	2.25 mg three times daily	WellRx Savings Card
Methylprednisolone	Steroid	20 mg every 8 hrs	WellRx Savings Card
Olsalazine	5-ASA		WellRx Savings Card
Vedolizumab	Biologic	300 mg every 8 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Metronidazole	Steroid	1000-1500 mg/day divided	WellRx Savings Card
Ustekinumab	Biologic	90 mg every 8 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Mercaptopurine	Immunomodulator	1.5-2.5 mg/kg/day	WellRx Savings Card
Cyclosporine	Immunomodulator		WellRx Savings Card
Mirikizumab	Biologic	300 mg every 8 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Prednisolone	Steroid	40 mg per day	WellRx Savings Card
Prednisone	Steroid	40-60 mg daily	WellRx Savings Card
Tacrolimus	Immunomodulator	0.1-0.2 mg/kg/day	WellRx Savings Card
Upadacitinib	Targeted synthetic small molecule	45 mg daily for 12 weeks then 15 mg daily	WellRx Savings Card
Golimumab	Biologic	100 mg every 4 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Risankizumab	Biologic	180-360 mg every 12 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Guselkumab	Biologic	100-200 mg every 4-8 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Natalzumab	Biologic	300 mg every 4 weeks	WellRx Savings Card
Etrasimod	Targeted synthetic small molecule	2 mg daily	WellRx Savings Card
Tofacitinib	Targeted synthetic small molecule	10 mg twice daily then titrate down	WellRx Savings Card

Is there a cure for Crohn's disease?

While medication can reduce the symptoms of Crohn's disease and prevent complications, there is currently no cure for the disease. In some cases, part of the colon may need to be surgically removed.

Who needs meds for Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic disease that can flair periodically. People may be able to stay off of medication for periods of time if they are in remission. Whether to treat Crohn's disease and what medication to use depends on how severe the symptoms are, the complications that may be associated with Crohn's disease, other health conditions you may have, and personal preference.

What drugs are used to treat Crohn's disease?

Many types of medications can treat Crohn's disease.

Types of common Crohn's medications

Medications to treat Crohn's disease can be split into several classes.

5-ASA agents: These agents, also known as aminosalicylates, are often first-line treatments for Crohn's disease and are used to treat mild disease. They are generally taken either orally or as a suppository. These medications, which resemble aspirin in some ways, decrease inflammation in the colon.
Steroids: These agents are also used to treat inflammation. They may be used for maintenance or acute flairs. They are taken either orally or as an injection.
Immunosuppressants: These medications suppress the immune system, which can also decrease inflammation. Crohn's disease is often believed to be caused by an overactive immune response, so suppressing the immune system may help with symptoms.
Biologic agents: Biologic agents can be further broken down into three categories. Anti-tissue necrosis factor alpha medications are targeted molecules that block some of the signals that can create inflammation. Integrin blockers are selective in blocking white blood cells from getting into the digestive tract and causing inflammation. P40 antibodies block the interleukin 12 and 23 molecules, which will help decrease inflammation.
Targeted small molecules: these agents attack specific molecules in the immune system to decrease inflammation and damage to the digestive tract. These medications are among the newer treatments being developed to treat Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel disease.

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for Crohn's disease?

Over-the-counter medications may treat the symptoms of Crohn's disease but generally do not change the course of the disease. The primary over-the-counter medicines used to treat Crohn's disease are anti-diarrheal medications and acetaminophen. Calcium and vitamin D may also be recommended to improve bone health since Crohn's disease can prevent adequate absorption of these nutrients. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medications.

How should you take Crohn's disease medications safely?

The safest way to take medications for Crohn's disease, or any medication for that matter, is to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider. You should also check with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter drugs or supplements.

How long do the most common drugs for Crohn's disease take to work?

If you or someone you know is suffering from the symptoms of Crohn's disease, getting quick relief may be a priority. Different medications work at different rates:

5-ASA medications may take 2-4 weeks to improve inflammatory bowel disease
Steroids usually take 2-4 weeks to improve Crohn's disease
Immunomodulators such as azathioprine take 10-12 weeks for clinical response
Biologic agents can start to improve symptoms as quickly as 2 weeks
Targeted small molecules may work within a couple of weeks.

Natural remedies for Crohn's disease

Many people with Crohn's disease might want to consider natural remedies in conjunction with or as an alternative to other medication for Crohn's disease. Some of the natural remedies used in the treatment of Crohn's disease include:

Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric)
Aloe vera
Mastic gum
Ginko biloba
Zingiber zerumbet
Boswellia serrata
Plantago ovata
Gardenia jasminoides
Inonotus obliquus
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Pitacia lenticsus
Polygonum tinctorium
Coriolus versicolor
Green dwarf banana flour
Blueberry extract
Green tea

This is not an exhaustive list of plants that have the potential to treat Crohn's disease. Before starting any supplements or natural remedies, talking to your healthcare team is essential.

Choosing the best medication for Crohn's disease: factors your healthcare provider will consider

When selecting the best medication for Crohn's disease, your healthcare provider will consider many factors. Some of these include:

Age
Medical history
Where in the digestive tract the disease is located
How severe the disease is
The cost of medications and insurance coverage
How the medication is administered
What previous treatments have been tried, and the response to those treatments
Whether complications are present
The potential side effects
What the patient prefers

No one medication is right for everyone. Choosing the best medication takes all of these factors into consideration.

Get your free ScriptSave® WellRx account and start saving on your medications

Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases can be very serious and have potential long-term health problems. Bloody diarrhea is a reason to seek medical care immediately, and a healthcare provider should evaluate diarrhea for more than three to four weeks. If your healthcare provider has recommended medication for Crohn's disease or any other health condition, consider visiting us at WellRx to help find the best prices in your area. Some people save a little. Some people save a lot. Prices vary across zip codes. Even pharmacies across the street from each other can have substantial price differences. We aim to bring transparency to prescription medication pricing, helping consumers keep more money in their pockets. ScriptSave has been helping consumers save on their prescriptions for 25 years.

FAQs related to medicines for Crohn's disease

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about Crohn's disease medications.

What is the best pain medication for Crohn's disease?

Acetaminophen is generally recommended over medications such as ibuprofen for mild pain related to Crohn's disease. Ibuprofen and similar medications should not be taken without the direction of your healthcare provider because they can make symptoms worse.

What is the best nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for Crohn's disease?

Some medications used to treat Crohn's disease, such as 5-ASA agents, are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, should not be taken unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider.

What are the best biologic drugs for Crohn's disease?

There is no one best biologic drug for Crohn's disease. Several factors determine which drug is best for each patient.

What are the new medications for Crohn's disease in 2025?

Several new medications are planned for release in 2025. The FDA also has approval for several biosimilar medications, as well as expanded approval for several biosimilar medications and monoclonal antibodies.

What is the best pill for Crohn's disease?

Again, there is no single best pill for Crohn's disease. Your healthcare provider will choose the best medication based on your health factors, preferences, insurance coverage, and side effects.

Which is better, Humira or Rinvoq?

Both Humira and Rinvoq are used to treat Crohn's disease. One head-to-head study showed that Rinvoq may have a slightly higher remission rate and improvement in other outcomes compared to Humira, though other factors should be considered.

Which is better, Stelara or Remicade?

Both Stelara and Remicade are effective medications for treating Crohn's disease. However, according to one study, Remicade may have a slight edge in improving disease on endoscopy.

What is the most expensive Crohn's medication?

The most expensive Crohn's medications are generally the newer ones, but the cost to the patient depends on insurance coverage, among other factors. Some medications may be several thousand dollars a dose.

Which is worse: ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's disease usually affects the small and large intestines but can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus. Ulcerative colitis is less common and only affects the colon but may require surgery earlier. Ultimately, which disease is worse depends on the severity of symptoms for the individual.