Open AccessThiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease revisited
Author(s) -
Florian Bär,
Christian Sina,
Klaus Fellermann
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v19.i11.1699
Subject(s) - inflammatory bowel disease , medicine , thiopurine methyltransferase , azathioprine , maintenance therapy , ulcerative colitis , adverse effect , disease , mercaptopurine , intensive care medicine , crohn's disease , gastroenterology , immunology , chemotherapy
Although a great variety of new drugs have been introduced for the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases so far, a definite cure of the disease is still out of scope. An anti-inflammatory approach to induce remission followed by maintenance therapy with immunosupressants is still the mainstay of therapy. Thiopurines comprising azathioprine and its active metabolite mercaptopurine as well as tioguanine, are widely used in the therapy of chronic active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Their steroid sparing potential and efficacy in remission maintenance are out of doubt. Unfortunately, untoward adverse events are frequently observed and may preclude further administration or be life threatening. This review will focus on new aspects of thiopurine therapy in IBD, its efficacy and safety.