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Azathioprine - Imuran - 6mp

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Posted Today 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I was just wondering if there are any huge differences between what a lot of you refer to as 6mp, and Imuran and Azathioprine? Why so many different names for what I am assuming are three quite similar things?

I have started Azathioprine, only been taking it just over a week. It has been making me feel awful. Saw my doctor who said it couldn't really be helped and would subside after a few months. Others who have been on this drug - if you had side effects how long did you experience them for before you got some relief?

Cheers

Posted Today 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
I may be wrong but I think Azathioprine is the generic term for Imuran. 6mp is a similar drug but they are not the same thing. I was on 6mp for a few years but it caused kidney stones, so I switched to Imuran. That worked fine for a few years, but then I switched GIs and my dr wanted me to try something else. In short, nothing else worked, and now I am back to trying Imuran. I don't remember the first time how long it took them to work (I think a few months), but right now I am on about month 2-3 and just keeping my fingers crossed.

What do you mean by "its been making you feel awful"? I don't know if I've ever felt AWFUL from any of these drugs (minus the kidney stones...that was pretty awful!), and I don't really know if these side effects will go away. I am not a dr though, so...? I am interested to hear others' thoughts on that.
Posted Today 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran and Azathioprine are the same thing. Imuran and 6mp are basically the same med they just are processed differently in your body. I tried Imuran but it made me really nauseous. Some said to make sure you take it with dinner and that is supposed to help with the side effects. I ended up switching to 6mp and taking it at bedtime and had no problems with it at all except some hair shedding. Hope that helps.
Posted Today 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Drug name - Brand Name

Azathioprine - Imuran
Purinethon - 6MP

Azathioprine is a pro-drug: it is converted into 6MP once metabolized.
Posted Today 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Imura (Azathioprine) gave me the chills and severe fatigue/sleepiness. I am off. Thank goodness. My new GI switched me to Humira. It actually works.
Posted Today 9:59 PM (GMT 0)

Former58D said...
Drug name - Brand Name

Azathioprine - Imuran
Purinethon - 6MP

Azathioprine is a pro-drug: it is converted into 6MP once metabolized.

Actually, the drug name is 6-Mercaptopurine and the brand name is Purinethol.
Posted Today 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Correct, I didn't read it before pressing submit.
Posted Today 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same horrible side effects with Imuran. smhair
Thank goodness for 6mp. :-)
Posted 11/30/2009 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Imuran has more inert ingredients which can sometimes irritate folks. 6MP is the "purer" delivery form. My GI much prefers 6MP to Imuran, but some people who have issues with one can be successfully re-challenged with the other.
Posted 11/30/2009 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
I had side effects when first starting the Imuran. Gasy, Bloated and grumpy and some chills. G.I. Dr. said to stick with it. It took about 4 months for the symptoms subside.

 Been on it now for 4 years! Still kinda freaks me out that at first I had so many side effects. Oh well, have to take something, I guess.

I have to get liver counts checked every 3 months. Good luck!

Posted 12/1/2009 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Wow - thank you all so much for your replies. I don't know what I would do without this forum. There is such a wealth of information, and to be able to hear other people's experiences it just helps so much.

Is 6mp something that is common is Australia? Because all I really hear about is the Azathioprine and Imuran. I have only started on 50mg of Azathioprine a day, with the end goal being 150mg a day. I have been having day-long nausea, migraines, leg cramps and aches, and terrible D. My gp said the nausea should go away after a few months, but my god it has been unrelenting :( I am supposed to take it in the morning so I take it with or shortly after my breakfast. But it still makes me feel sick.

I have had the migraines for ages anyway, but my gp wasn't sure if the leg cramps and D was from the Azathioprine or just the Crohn's. I am not due to have a blood test to check the effect of the Azathioprine until just before Chrissy, so will see what happens.

Tis bad enough being sick, but having medicine that makes you sick too just sux lol

Have not really heard much about Humira - what does that do? I know Remicade as in Infliximab. And a lot of people say they take Pentasa, what does that do?

Thanks again for all your replies, you guys are awesome.
Posted 12/12/2009 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
confused an anyone share any information about the risk of cancer from taking 6MP? Our doc mentioned recently that even short term use increases your chances of developing cancer over your lifetime. Makes me very nervous. Thanks.confused
Posted 12/12/2009 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I would ask your doctor for some perspective. For instance, does it increase by 10%? 50%? .00001%?
Posted 12/12/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I developed chronic pancreatitis years ago and the only thing my GI could link it to was the azathioprine I had taken for several months.  I now list the drug as one I have reaction to and will not take it again for that reason.

My case may be quite unusual, but I hope this helps!!

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