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Imuran and Pentasa

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/7/2011 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I have been taking Imuran (150mgs) now for just about three weeks.  When my dr put me on it he told me to quit the pentasa, which I thought was working quite well.  Now I have hit a wall and haven't felt this terrible in about a year since I had started the Pentasa.  Can I take both?  My dr office is closed today....nice.  Going away for three days for Thanksgiving and really would like to feel better than I am now....

Thanks very much!

K

Posted 10/7/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yup. You can take both. Many of us are on these two meds. I've been on this combination for about 8 years now and it is working very well for me.

As a matter of fact, just because I'm not that wild about taking 16 capsules a day every now and then I cheat and quit taking the Pentasa. I can USUALLY get away w/it for 2-3 months (I've never claimed to be the smartest candle on the cake) - and then symptoms start and I hurry up and start taking them again.

Many IBD researchers are claiming that Pentasa is not very effective. Well, maybe not for everyone, but there are quite a few of us here for whom it IS effective. Often it needs help. But, heck, my experience has been that whilst Pentasa may not be able to keep me in remission by itself, neither can the Imuran keep me in remission by itself - but the two together work wonderfully for me. (And in my book sure beats having to resort to the biologicals the IBD professionals are so high on right now). I'm glad the biologicals are effective for many but I'm also darn glad that "I" don't have to resort to them!!!!!! knock, Knock, KNOCK
Posted 10/7/2011 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, that's great news.  I left a message at my dr office and I am sure he will get back to me on Tuesday when they reopen. 

Thanks for your wisdom.  I really appreciate it.

Take care.

Posted 10/7/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Will second what Crohnietoo says. DS is on both as well.Some consultants think that if you are on Imuran you don't need the Pentasa but for many it is really a good combination.
Posted 10/7/2011 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Should be able to do both. I've been using pentasa and imuran together for years too.
GIs have different opinions about the efficacy of pentasa, since it is a more mild drug. But I figure, if it helps me even a little, it's worth it.
Posted 10/7/2011 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think it would be important to stay on the Pentasa at least until the Imuran was it's full effect, it can take up 3 months for Imuran to work to it's full potential.

Best of luck to you!
Posted 10/8/2011 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
I am also under the impression that it takes months for the Imuran type drugs to take full effect.

I took pentasa and 6mp together for 10 years.

I also got out of the habit of taking pentasa from time to time, and I could always tell after a period of time. Taking it again, and taking it at the full dose always helped me.
Posted 10/8/2011 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I took Colazal (like Pentasa) and Imuran together for 8 years and felt great doing so. There's a study that compared the effectiveness of 5-ASAs v. placebos and found that 1/3 of people on 5-ASAs (like Pentasa/Colazal) and 1/3 people on a placebo went into remission. As a result, many GIs (mine included) don't believe that they are effective for helping with flare-ups in most patients. That being said, there are a LOT of patients that it does work for. Even if it helps a little and can keep you in remission, it's soooooo worth taking it!!

Also, it can take up to 4 months for Imuran to completely kick in.
Posted 10/11/2011 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I am feeling much better now that I have started taking the pentasa again. Taking 2 pills three times a day and it's made a huge difference. I can't understand why he would take me off if it when it was actually making me feel the best that I had in a long time. I understand that Imuran takes a whileto work so I am hoping the combination of the two helps.

Thanks again for all your help. It so reassuring to know that we are not alone in the battle against this disease!

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadian posters!
Posted 10/11/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I sometimes wonder if those researchers involved in the 5-ASA/placebo study were also involved w/the various biologics studies.

Why - after the 5-ASAs being used for so long did anyone decide to research their effectiveness via a placebo?? You'd think they'd have done that when testing it for FDA approval.

I have such a suspicious mind sometimes. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

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