rash with azathioprine (imuran)?

I have been on 50mg of azathioprine for nine days. I have had some nausea, but bearable - I am supposed to go up to 200mg on day 14. My bloodwork last week was okay. Tonight I have suddenly developed a rash of big red spots on both arms. I am thinking it is the azathioprine because I am not on anything else. Has anyone else had this happen? I am thinking I am going to quit taking it and call my specialist on Monday? Why do these things always happen on a Friday?!

Go to doctor or go to urgent care today to have it checked.

Any drug-induced rash should be reported immediately and checked promptly.

If it looks like raised welts with a bulls-eye in the center GO TO ER.

If it spreads rapidly GO TO ER.

If accompanied by fever, nausea, sore throat, headache, body aches GO TO ER.

I am not kidding. I am not trying to scare you exactly. But drug-induced rashes that fit these 3 criteria can be very, very dangerous very quickly.

Hope it goes away quickly and is nothing serious.

I broke out in a rash a few days after taking imuran. I don't think it took too long to go away after I stopped it. Like you it was disappointing it wasn't going to work.

Sarah

I called my specialists office today - said I had the rash rxn and was off azathioprine - which means I am now on nothing (which is how I got into this mess in the first place). I left a message asking for someone to call me back and advise if I should try it again or something different...? Also needing to know if I should go for bloodwork. No call back today - I'm frustrated! I hope he comes up with a plan and calls me because his receptionist is not too friendly and I try to call there as little as possible.

Sarah, did you ever try it again after you had a rash - did they say what caused it?

Well, my specialist called and said since a rash was not a common side effect he isn't sure it was from the med so he wants me to try it again starting tomorrow. We'll see - I'm hopeful, but a rash out of nowhere that I haven't had before would be weird if it wasn't from the med!

Well, tried it again last night - woke up with even a worse rash this morning -so can't try it again. My doc says he is going to let things settle down for a week and then try me on 6mp. Hopefully that will work! Darn.

I'm not sure what your rash is - but mine was an allergic reaction. Within 48 hours of stopping the medication it went away. I hope they figure out how to help you - that sounds awful! It is great they are checking for everything since Imuran lowers your immune system. Take care and hopefully it all resolves very soon!

strange that it is sticking around! Mine went away quickly - but I had a drug reaction a few years ago to a different drug that took quite a few days to settle down and go away. Are they saying it was an allergic reaction or something else?
You won't always be like this - it will get better!! Hang in there!!
Hugs!

Blueberry, I started imuran 50 mg recently too and got several red bumps all over my shoulders, face, and arms—mine were mosquito bites, but my GI once told me not to worry about mild immunosuppression and west nile virus...lol.

I hope the 6mp works for you!

It is frustrating. If this doesn't go. First stop some blood sucking mosquito lawyer

Blueberry, I totally missed that this was an old post.