Use of old and new oral 5-aminosalicylic acid formulations in inflammatory bowel disease

Although sulfasalazine, a 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) agent, is still the anti-inflammatory agent of choice for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, newer formulations, which release drug to specific regions of the colon for maximal efficacy, also can be appropriate first-line agents. This article reviews recent clinical studies of therapy with older and newer 5-ASA formulations.