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Azathioprine anyoone?

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Posted 1/10/2012 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have been reading people's posts (just joined so I have commented at all, new to CD as well) and I have noticed that no one has Azathioprine listed as a medication that they are/have been on. Anyone taken this? It's the one that my GI is putting me on when he gets the biopsy back. If you have, what side effects did you notice? What am I in for?
I just got out of the hospital after a week and a half. My GI doc is sure that I have CD even though we are still waiting on the test results. I am in nursing school and had planned on being a labor and delivery nurse, but may switch to working with a GI doc so I can help the patients more.

Vicky
Posted 1/10/2012 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Another name for Azathioprine is Imuran and you will probably see that listed here. It has been one of my main maintenance meds for CD for that last 10 years. I haven't had to many problems with it. Don't be to afraid of the side effects listed as many of them are more for people on very high dosages taken for other medical reasons like to protect from transplant rejection. The main side effects I have had in the past is mild hair loss and feeling tired but these symptoms didn't last long after the initial onset or dosage increase. I hope that helps. Good luck in nursing school!!
Posted 1/10/2012 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Vicky,
sorry you have to deal with CD. I have been taking Imuran (Azathioprine) for a while, on and off, and it works fine for me, keeps my CD quiet.
I was on Imuran for about a year, then had a surgery and was on Budenofalk and Pentasa for a year or so and another year (and birth of one baby) later my GI decided I better start Imuran again. Have been taking it now for another almost 2 years (while I had another baby). Have had no side effects.

Hope it works the same to you!
Posted 1/10/2012 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I will now look for Imuran in the posts. lol Glad to know that the side effects are mild or non existent. I was reading the wikipedia (which I now see it says Imuran) and it listed some cancers as side effects. So that's on the high doses?
Posted 1/10/2012 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
so I'll be the one who has had bad exp. w/imuran. bad chest cough and congestion, been on 2 rounds of anti's with little to none effct. So bad I finally just quit taking it, I have cd in esph, throat as well as gut. the only effectual drugs are pred. and pain med's. bio-logics just make me sicker. good luck to you
Posted 1/10/2012 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
If you look at my signature you will see azathioprine listed and I hsve been taking it for 16 years and it works well for me and no major side effects if any. I do get more colds/viruses etc and am prone to chest infections and need antibiotics at least twice a year for this and never seems to shift it with first course but is a small price to pay for keeping the CD at bay.
Posted 1/10/2012 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Vicky and Welcome to HW. I just started on 6MP which is a sister drug to Imuran/ Azathioprine I am waiting to get the first blood test results to make sure I'm tolerating it, but it seems ok so far. I'm also taking Prednisone right now, and I think that is causing me more trouble...sleeplessness, terrible acid refux, jittery, etc. I'm really hoping the immunosuppressives work for both of us!
Posted 1/10/2012 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Artist Guy - Sorry you are having such a hard time! Thanks for letting me know about your side effects. I'll keep an eye out for those when I start taking it.
Stripey - Hopefully the extra Vit C I am now taking will help with not getting sick. I already am prone to getting sick more than other people. I just need to stay away from sick people when I'm on it. :(
Gumby - Good luck! Keep me updated and I will let you know how things go for me when I get started on it.
Posted 1/11/2012 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I started it 4 months ago, but it's doing nothing for me. I'll be stopping it after my appointment tomorrow.
Posted 1/11/2012 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Vicky. I've been on Azathioprine for over a year now, just increased my dosage from 100 mg to 125 mg. It takes several weeks to months to become effective. When I first took Azathioprine, before my resection a few years ago, my GI had me on Entocort (a steroid) until the Azathioprine kicked in. I see you're on Prednisone, so that will help you until the Azathioprine becomes effective. The only SE I had was some hair loss initially, but that doesn't seem to be a problem now. My GI recommended a multi-vitamin to help with the hair loss. Btw, I worked as a nurse in post partum and nursery and occasionally, worked in L&D. It's a great specialty. Good luck with everything! ~SB
Posted 1/11/2012 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I had surgery back in Feb 2011 for a resection and shortly there after was put on Imuran. I've been on it since and had a scope in December and there was zero sign of Crohns which is a good thing....leads me to believe the Imuran is helping. Can't exactly tell if there are side effects since I have other issues that probably don't tie to the med but more to the surgery. All in all better off then I was before.
Posted 1/11/2012 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
I hate to be a debbie downer, but I truly wasn't prepared for how it hit me. So, don't worry about it, but be cautious!

I am allergic to both Imuran and 6MP. They made me feel like I had the flu. So, watch for flu-like symptoms and call your dr immediately if they occur.

BUT, as seen above, this is far more rare from what I've seen. Most people either don't see any improvement, or see improvement, but not many seem to have an allergic reaction like I did.

Good luck!
Posted 1/11/2012 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Girlzilla! I'll keep an eye out for those types of symptoms.
JAB - Was it December '11 that you started the Imuran? Or December '10?
Posted 1/11/2012 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Also, I just got the call today (shortly after posting this thread). It is CD. I have an appointment next Wednesday to see my GI (who is about to retire apparently) for him to set up my medications and treatment plan. Wish me luck!
Posted 1/11/2012 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Vicky!!! I've been on Imuran (easier to type and spell than azathioprine) since early 2003. Since I didn't want to take pred or entocort (steroids) to help the Imuran along until it could kick in and take full effect I was put on Cipro w/the Imuran via our university's gastro department and was on the combo about 6 months before discontinuing the Cipro.

I've been in symptomatic or full remission since then. I don't remember any side effects except perhaps a little more tired than usual for the first couple of months. There was a Prometheus test that was run on a regualr basis the first year or two to adjust my dosage to the most effective dose that produced no hepatic toxicity.

I love my Imuran and am ever so grateful for it!!!! I also take Pentasa w/it as the Imuran can't seem to keep me in total remission w/o it. On the other hand, the Pentasa can't seem to "cut the mustard" w/o the Imuran but the two together do the job for me! Thank God.

Good luck and God bless!
Posted 1/14/2012 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Imuran since May '11, 150mg, and in October the dose was reduced to 100mg because my immunity was knoced down too much (leucocytes got reduced dangerously), so I was very cautious about any infection, although could not avoid demodex mite/rosacea - I got it not only on my face but even on my chest and butt, although dermatologist said it was not possible :(, demodex disappeared when Imuran was reduced to 100mg. Also, my hearlost is rather high, haven't managed with it yet. The worst thing is that Imuran along with Pentasa do not help me, so I am now on budenofalk=entorort (steroids) for some time, will see later on how it is going.
Good luck!
Posted 1/15/2012 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your inputs. I really like having this site where I can talk to all of you and get advice and what not. I will know next Wednesday what medication for sure I will be on and in what dose. I will update you guys then. Again, thanks for all of your input!
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