Corticosteroids suppress the immune system and are used to treat moderate to severely active Crohn's disease. These drugs work non-specifically, meaning that they suppress the entire immune response, rather than targeting specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation.

Corticosteroids have significant short- and long-term side effects and should not be used as a maintenance medication. If you cannot come off steroids without suffering a relapse of your symptoms, your doctor may need to prescribe other medications to help manage your disease.

Examples:

These medications are available orally and rectally.

• Prednisone

• Methylprednisolone

References:

1. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-crohns-disease/treatment/medication