[Immunosuppressive therapy of aspecific types of enterocolitis]

Azathioprine is the most common immunosuppressive drug in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and M. Crohn. Usually it is given in combination with steroids. The effectiveness sets in three month after the start of therapy. It consists in a steroid saving effect and in reduction of relapses. These properties establish the indication for its selection use in cases of frequent relapsing total colitis or M. Crohn. Acute side effects are below 10%, they almost are reversible. It is an open question, if the immunotherapy rises the cancer risk over the elevated cancer risk of treated diseases.