Switching Medications: What to Do if Crohn’s Disease Treatment Isn’t Working
Health ConditionsDigestive HealthCrohn's Disease

Switching Medications: What to Do if Crohn’s Disease Treatment Isn’t Working

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Published on February 23, 2026
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It’s possible to achieve remission if you have Crohn’s disease, but it isn’t always easy to find a treatment that will help you get there.

Many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) switch medications soon after starting them, often due to side effects or the fear of long-term risks, says gastroenterologist Alan Moss, MD, chief scientific officer at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

 Other times, it’s hard to juggle multiple medications at once, especially when you’re already feeling unwell, he says.
It can also be hard to stick with infusion therapy, because the process can take multiple hours every one to two months, says Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, director of clinical research at the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Los Angeles and an American Gastroenterological Association spokesperson.

That doesn’t mean you should stop seeking the best treatment possible, though. Working alongside your care team, it’s possible to find a medication that works better, has fewer side effects, and is easier to take. Keep reading for everything you need to know about changing Crohn’s medications.

3 Reasons to Switch Medications for Crohn’s

If you’re not getting the symptom relief you’d hoped for, it’s only natural to wonder if there’s a better option. Here are a few valid medical, financial, and personal reasons to consider a switch, all of which “require an informed discussion with a gastroenterologist and can be handled on a case-by-case basis,” says Dr. Limketkai.

1. You’re No Longer Responding to the Medication

“Many people with Crohn’s disease switch medications because a drug that once worked well gradually stops controlling their symptoms or inflammation — a problem doctors call ‘loss of response,’” says Dr. Moss.

In some cases, symptoms may lessen, but tests could still reveal that the inflammation isn’t under control. “Even though a patient may be feeling well, the gastroenterologist may occasionally recommend switching medications to achieve improved control of inflammation, if still present,” says Limketkai.

1. You’re No Longer Responding to the Medication

2. You’re Having Side Effects

It’s not uncommon to experience side effects, such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or nausea. Tell your doctor about any you’re having. They can possibly adjust the dose or suggest a different treatment that may reduce these symptoms, says Limketkai. If you’re on certain medications, your doctor will monitor you for side effects to catch them early, especially complications such as bone marrow problems and liver or pancreas irritation from immunomodulators.

2. You’re Having Side Effects

3. Your Insurance Has Changed

Your new insurance plan might require you to switch medications, your prescription coverage may have changed, or your copay costs might skyrocket, says Moss.

Many medication manufacturers offer patient assistance programs that help offset some of the cost, Limketkai says. You can search for the medication you take on a list of assistance programs on the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation website. There are also available biosimilars (generic versions of biologics) that may be covered by your insurance plan instead.

3. Your Insurance Has Changed

Assess Your Crohn’s Disease Treatment

Sometimes your body adapts to a treatment, and you need something new to manage flares. Other times, unpleasant side effects make a different option sound like a better fit. Take this quiz to understand whether you should talk to your doctor about the Crohn’s medication you’re currently taking and whether you should consider switching.
everyday health quiz

Should You Switch Crohn’s Medications?

Sometimes your body adapts to a treatment, and you need something new to manage flares. Other times, unpleasant side effects make a different option sound like a better fit. Take this quiz to understand whether you should talk to your doctor about the Crohn’s medication you’re currently taking and whether you should consider switching.

Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease

When it’s time to consider a different treatment, you have some options. Here’s what your doctor is likely to suggest.

5 Treatment Changes Your Doctor May Recommend

If you decide to make some changes, your doctor may recommend that you:

  1. Adjust the dose. Increasing the dose or how often you take or get a specific medicine may help better manage symptoms, says Moss.
  2. Add a partner drug. Sometimes an additional medication can help the primary treatment work better. You might take this temporarily or over the long term, says Limketkai.
  3. Switch within the same drug family. Sometimes one type of medication in the same broad category of treatments may work better than another. For example, you might change from one tumor necrosis factor–alpha inhibitor (called anti-TNFs or biologics) to another and see an improvement, says Moss.
  4. Switch to a different class of medication. Your doctor might suggest an entirely new kind of medicine, Moss says. If you’re currently taking an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid but not getting relief, for example, it may be time to try a biologic, which targets specific proteins.
  5. Opt for surgery. If medications don’t work to control symptoms or you’re having other complications, your doctor may suggest surgical procedures that can remove the inflamed areas of the intestines. 

Treatments for Crohn’s Disease

If you have Crohn’s disease, you may take one medication or a combination of treatments. If medications don’t help manage your condition, surgery is also an option.
  • Corticosteroids Often simply called steroids, these anti-inflammatory drugs are considered a first-line treatment for Crohn’s. Many people with mild disease can achieve remission with steroids alone. These meds are only used for short-term treatment, because they can cause significant side effects. Corticosteroids that are commonly used to manage Crohn’s include budesonide (which targets the gastrointestinal tract more) and prednisone, which can be taken orally.

  • Immunomodulators These medications tamp down the immune system’s activity, which can help reduce inflammation. Options such as azathioprine, mercaptopurine, and methotrexate are often used in combination with other Crohn’s medications to help them work better. Immunomodulators can be taken orally or injected.

  • Biologics and Biosimilars Biologics, such as adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and infliximab, are lab-created antibodies that target the proteins that cause Crohn’s-related inflammation. Biosimilars, such as infliximab-dyyb, are nearly identical versions of biologics that have been created to lower medication costs. Both options are administered via infusion or injection and are sometimes used with immunomodulators, too.

  • Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib and upadacitinib) block enzymes involved in the overactive immune response of Crohn’s disease. They’re usually used when other treatments don’t help.

  • Diet Changes Watching what you eat isn’t a cure for Crohn’s, but it’s an essential part of managing symptoms. Bland, soft foods are less likely to cause flares than high-fiber, spicy foods. When you’re dealing with symptoms such as diarrhea, you’re also losing more fluids, minerals, and vitamins than normal, so do your best to replace what you’ve lost by eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

  • Surgery If medications don’t help and inflammation or other complications persist, surgery may be an option. Typically, the affected parts of the intestines are removed, and the healthy parts are joined together.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Changing Treatments for Crohn’s

Remember, you and your doctor are partners in this decision. Moss says it’s okay to ask questions like, “If we decide to switch, what are the risks, benefits, and realistic expectations with the next option?”

Review this list before your next appointment to have an honest, productive conversation with your doctor about what’s next.

8 Things to Tell Your Doctor

  1. How you’re really feeling day-to-day, including any fatigue, pain, or urgency you’re experiencing
  2. How well you’re able to perform at work or school
  3. Any medication side effects you’re having
  4. Any new symptoms that have started
  5. Any trouble taking medications as prescribed
  6. Any concerns about affording the medications
  7. How often you miss a dose
  8. Any changes in your priorities or treatment goals, such as avoiding steroids, planning a pregnancy, or wanting fewer infusion visits

5 Tips for Switching Crohn’s Treatments Successfully

“Switching medications is not a trivial process,” says Limketkai. Your doctor can’t guarantee a new option will work better for you, and switching treatments may increase your risk of a flare-up. But with the support of your care team, you can find an approach that works best for you. Here’s how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The Bottom Line About Switching Treatments

Changing Crohn’s treatments can be challenging, but if you’re experiencing side effects, having difficulty affording the medication, or not getting the relief you used to get, it may be worth it. The only way to know if it’s time to switch is by having an open, honest conversation with your doctor about treatment goals and weighing the possible advantages and disadvantages of changing up the regimen.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Pellegrini G et al. Single and Multiple Switches, Swap and Retransitioning Among 28,073 Biological Drug Users With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Results From the Italian VALORE Network. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. September 28, 2025.
  2. Fact Sheet: Biologics. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. October 2022.
  3. Regueiro M et al. Overview of the Medical Management of Mild (Low Risk) Crohn Disease in Adults. UpToDate. July 28, 2025.
  4. Medication Options for Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  5. Lichtenstein GR. Treatment of Crohn Disease in Adults: Dosing and Monitoring of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitors. UpToDate. October 14, 2025.
  6. Crohn’s Disease Treatment Options. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
Additional Sources
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Sarah Klein is a Boston-based health journalist with more than 15 years experience in lifestyle media. She has held staff positions at Livestrong, Health, Prevention, and Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, and a National Academy of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer. She moderated a panel on accessibility in fitness at SXSW in 2022, completed the National Press Foundation’s 2020 Vaccine Boot Camp, and attended Mayo Clinic’s Journalist Residency in 2019.

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