Review
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2013; 19(7): 1040-1048
Published online Feb 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i7.1040
Table 1 Indications for thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease
IndicationNo indication
Crohn’s diseaseMaintaining remission in moderate (to severe) CD (any site of disease especially for extensive disease); Maintaining remission in CD with early relapse (< 3 mo after the last flare) or frequent flares (more than two per year); Fistulizing CD (in combination with antibiotics, if no early start of anti-TNF or surgery necessary); Postoperative prevention of CD recurrence (unless high-risk situation such as repeated surgery or current smoker); In combination with anti-TNFs in case of severe CD (rapid step-up or top-down)Induction of remission (as a sole therapy in active disease)
Ulcerative colitis (treated with 5-ASA at optimal dose unless intolerant)Maintaining remission in steroid-dependent UC; Maintaining remission in UC with early relapse requiring steroids; Maintaining remission in UC with frequent flares requiring steroids; Maintaining remission in UC after induction of remission by ciclosporin, tacrolimus, or i.v. steroids; Acute or chronic refractory pouchitisInduction of remission (as a sole therapy in active disease)