Aim: An overview on the evidence-based indications for an immunosuppressive treatment with azathioprine in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases is given. CROHN'S DISEASE: In Crohn's disease, these are the induction of remission in chronic active Crohn's disease, steroid-dependent Crohn's disease, fistulizing Crohn's disease and the maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease. The optimal dose is 2.5 mg/kg body weight, treatment should be maintained for at least 4 years.
Ulcerative colitis: In ulcerative colitis, these are steroid dependency, the maintenance of remission in chronic active ulcerative colitis and the maintenance of remission after induction of remission with cyclosporin or tacrolimus in acute attacks of disease.