Randomised controlled trials of antibiotics of potential efficacy in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and pouchitis
| Indication | Endpoint (outcome) | Antibiotic | References |
| Crohn’s disease | Induction of remission | Rifaximin 800 mg twice daily (NNT 9, clinical remission) Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily (NNT 4, clinical remission of colonic disease) Metronidazole (reduction of CRP) | 10 11 13 16 |
| Maintenance of remission | Anti-Mycobacterium a vium p aratuberculosis therapy (NNT 4) | 18 20 22 | |
| Perianal disease | Metronidazole+ciprofloxacin (NNT 5) | 29 | |
| Prevention of postoperative recurrence | Metronidazole 20 mg/kg/day×3 months (NNT 4) Ornidazole×1 year (NNT 4) Rifaximin×3 months (10% vs 40% placebo recurrence) | 31 32 34 | |
| Ulcerative colitis | Induction of remission | Metronidazole+tobramycin Metronidazole+amoxicillin+tetracycline Metronidazole+tobramycin+vancomycin/rifaximin *(For 7 days to 3 months) | 5 43 47 |
| Maintenance of remission | No evidence of efficacy of antibiotics | ||
| Pouchitis | Acute pouchitis | Metronidazole 1 to 1.5 g/day Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily+metronidazole 20 mg/kg/day×2 weeks | 50 51 |
| Maintenance of remission | Rifaximin up to 1800 mg/day (benefit up to 12 months only) | 54 |
CRP, C reactive protein; NNT, number needed to treat.