The goal of inflammatory bowel disease therapy is to keep the disease on remission and obtain functionality as close to normal as possible. Several medications are available, that should be used in order of disease activity, intensity and location. Aminosalicylates, antibiotics, glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, infliximab and surgery can be used in active ulcerative colitis to induce remission. Aminosalicylates, azathioprine or mercaptopurine can be used to maintain disease on remission. Enteral therapy, glucocorticoids, methotrexate, infliximab and surgery can induce remission in active Crohn disease. Aminosalicylates, azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate and infliximab should be useful to keep disease on remission. Regional disease should be treated with topical therapy. Surgery is usuallly required as last source, when patient is refractory to medical therapy or acute complications appear. Inflammatory bowel disease therapy has experienced significant changes in time, so it is important to keep actualized in order to give each patient the most specific management on time, and minimize possible development and future life disruptions.

Key words: Inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, Therapy, Surgery.