AIM To examine the efficacy and safety of thalidomide and thalidomide analogues in induction and maintenance of remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS A literature search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid and the Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases such as the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang Data. The randomized controlled analysis was performed to assess the effects of thalidomide therapy on inflammatory bowel disease for patients who did show good response with other therapies. RESULTS Three studies (n = 212) met the inclusion criteria were used in this Meta-analysis. No difference was found between thalidomide/thalidomide analogues and placebo in the induction of remission (RR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.83-2.22, P = 0.22), the induction of clinical response (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.75-1.72, P = 0.54) and the induction of adverse events (RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.99-2.02, P = 0.06). CONCLUSION Currently, there is not enough evidence to support use of thalidomide or its analogue for the treatment in patients of any age with IBD. However, it warrants a reanalysis when more data become available.