FDA approves Cimzia for Crohn's disease

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration today approved Cimzia, a new drug by UCB to treat Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease. It has no cure and its cause is unknown. Crohn’s can cause diarrhea, fever, rectal bleeding, malnutrition, narrowing of the intestinal tract, obstructions, abscesses, cramping, and abdominal pain. It also can lead to abnormal connections (fistulas) leading from the intestine to the skin or internal organs.

Patients treated with Cimzia will receive an injection every two weeks for the first three injections. Once benefit has been established, Cimzia should be given once every four weeks.