medicines usually are not needed to treat celiac disease. if you or your child has been diagnosed with this condition your doctor may recommend taking a vitamin supplement that has iron and calcium. after you or your child is on a gluten-free diet symptoms should get better within 2 or 3 weeks nutrients should be absorbed more normally and the small intestine should gradually heal. medicine is only needed if you or your child becomes seriously ill with celiac disease or if complications develop. medicines will be given only long enough to correct these problems. doctors may prescribe steroid medications to ease swelling in the intestine and to help it absorb nutrients better. but not all experts agree about the use of these medicines to treat celiac disease. some complications such as delayed growth cannot be treated with medicine. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what medications and treatments are available to treat celiac disease?