Ustekinumab is a prescription biologic medication used to treat certain immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. It is a monoclonal antibody, meaning it is a lab-made protein designed to target specific immune pathways. In gastroenterology, it is commonly used for inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used in dermatology and rheumatology for conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Vedolizumab is a biologic medication used to treat certain inflammatory bowel diseases. It is a targeted antibody that helps reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most commonly used in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Clinicians use it when ongoing intestinal inflammation causes symptoms, complications, or poor quality of life.

Adalimumab is a biologic medicine that reduces inflammation by targeting a specific immune signal. It is a monoclonal antibody that blocks tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). It is commonly used for chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In gastroenterology, it is discussed most often for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Infliximab is a biologic medication that targets tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a key signal in inflammation. It is given most commonly by intravenous (IV) infusion in supervised clinical settings. In gastroenterology, it is widely used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used in several non-gastrointestinal immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant medication that reduces overactive immune responses. It is commonly used as a long-term “maintenance” therapy in immune-mediated diseases. In gastroenterology, it is most often discussed in inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune liver conditions. It is taken by mouth and typically works gradually rather than immediately.

Mesalamine is an anti-inflammatory medication used in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is also called 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). It is most commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis, especially mild to moderate disease. It comes in oral and rectal formulations designed to deliver medication to the intestinal lining.

Rifaximin is a rifamycin-derived antibiotic that acts primarily inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, so most of its activity is “luminal” (within the gut lumen). Clinicians most often use it in hepatology and gastroenterology for specific bowel- and liver-related conditions. It is prescribed as an oral medication rather than given by injection.

Antispasmodics are medications used to reduce involuntary muscle spasms. In gastroenterology, they are most often used to ease cramping pain from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They are commonly discussed in functional bowel disorders and in some endoscopy settings.

Antiemetics are medicines used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. They are commonly used in gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, and emergency care. They work by targeting specific receptors and pathways involved in the vomiting reflex. They are chosen based on the likely cause of symptoms and patient factors.

Prokinetics are medications that increase or coordinate movement (motility) in parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They are used when food, liquid, or gas moves too slowly or in an uncoordinated way. They are commonly discussed in disorders of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. In clinical practice, they are part of symptom-based care for nausea, reflux-related symptoms, and constipation in selected cases.