Method of treating inflammatory bowel disease

5-ASA for use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease comprising administering unadosis initial daily of (i) 2.4 g of 5-ASA in controlled release form, administered as a dose of 1.2 g Twice daily ; a dose of 2.4 g once daily; or a dose of 0.8 g three times a day, or (ii) 4.8 g of 5-ASA in controlled release formade administered as a daily dose once daily of 4.8 g, and wherein when lograla no remission after treatment for 4-8 weeks, the initial daily dose modificadade 4.8 g of 5-ASA release as controlled dosage is changed as 2.4 g administered twice daily (BID) to 8semanas