About IBD Drug Guide
About AGA’s IBD Drug Guide
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There are many treatment options with the potential to achieve remission of the disease. Selecting the appropriate treatment involves several complex factors. The complexity of IBD management and range of treatment options means that patients should participate in shared decision-making with their health care providers in selecting and monitoring treatment of IBD.
To support patients in shared decision making, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) developed this web-based drug guide that allows users to learn more about various FDA-approved therapies that may be best suited for their individual case. The goal is more informed discussions about managing their IBD with their health care providers.
This tool was supported by independent educational grants from AbbVie and Bristol Myers Squibb.
How it works
The AGA selected faculty based on their expertise in managing IBD and their advocacy for patients with IBD. The team included IBD specialists (physicians and APPs), patients, patient advocates, a clinical IBD psychologist, and an IBD pharmacist. The team was familiar with the current IBD literature and practice standards. The content and logic for the quiz was developed by consensus opinion from the entire faculty, based on current evidence and practice guidelines.
Though evidence-based, the tool is designed with patients in mind, serving to assist individuals with IBD in obtaining information on current best practices in the management of their disease. The recommendations, therefore, do not always follow specific guideline statements or standard dosing but rather focus on current clinical management strategies.
The faculty focused their approach on the core principles of efficacy, safety, and convenience. The faculty then reviewed and ranked every drug independently and anonymously for efficacy, safety, and convenience. The faculty then reviewed the answers which were all anonymized and discussed any differences that were noted until consensus was reached.
Meet the Faculty
Faten N. Aberra, MD, MSCE
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Faten Aberra is Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director of the Transition-IBD Center with CHOP. A clinician-educator and researcher, her work focuses on IBD clinical trials and epidemiology. She serves as GI EPIC Director and formerly as National Co-Chair of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Patient Education Committee.
Sarah Ballou, PhD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Dr. Sarah Ballou is Director of the GI Behavioral Health Service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Her clinical and research interests center on cognitive and behavioral therapies for IBD and IBS, with a focus on improving quality of life through psychosocial interventions.
Juanita D. Belton, PA, MPH, MPAS
Boston Medical Center
Juanita Belton is a Physician Associate at Boston Medical Center's Crohn's and Colitis Research Center and Instructor in Gastroenterology at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. She specializes in IBD and general GI care. With a background in public health and over a decade of clinical experience, she previously practiced at Cambridge Health Alliance and in correctional medicine, and is committed to advancing equitable care for diverse and underserved populations.
Shubha Bhat, PharmD, MS, FCCP, BCACP
Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Shubha Bhat is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Cleveland Clinic's Digestive Disease Institute. She manages medication therapy for IBD patients, focusing on education, monitoring, and treatment optimization. Her research centers on improving access and outcomes, and she actively contributes to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation and South Asian IBD Alliance.
Joseph D. Feuerstein, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Dr. Joseph D. Feuerstein is Clinical Chief of Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He has led or contributed to multiple AGA committees and guidelines focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His research and publications emphasize quality improvement and patient outcomes in IBD care.
Grady Stewart
Freelance creative, IBD patient, Co-owner, YellowBoxCircus
Grady Stewart is a creative artist, advocate, and co-owner of YellowBoxCircus. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 18, he now uses storytelling and performance to raise awareness of chronic illness. He previously served as digital content specialist for the Infusion Access Foundation and continues to foster community through creativity, humor, and compassion.
Ryan M. Ungaro, MD
Mount Sinai
Dr. Ryan Ungaro is Associate Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of the COMPASS-IBD Program. He specializes in early intervention and precision medicine for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A leader in IBD clinical research, he co-founded the SECURE-IBD registry and has received funding from NIH and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. He is an active contributor to AGA and REACH-IBD initiatives.
Tomiyo Williams
Patient engagement strategist
Tomiyo Williams is a healthcare advocate and strategist focused on equity and patient-centered care in IBD. Her work was inspired by her daughter’s Crohn’s Disease diagnosis and spans over 15 years of leadership in pediatric and digestive disease communities. She champions culturally competent care, caregiver support, and underserved patient populations nationwide.