Imuran and Anxiety/Panic

Greetings to all!

I'm a new member here.

Some back ground information. I'm 30 and have been diagnosed with Crohn's for approximately 7 years. I've never had any major complications which I'm very grateful for.

A general question about Imuran though. A few people have mentioned to me that upon administration of Imuran they started to experience anxiety and panic for no apparent reason. All documented side effects and/or adverse effects do not indicate a relationship between Imuran and any psychological side effects.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks in advance

Coltrane

That's a new one that I haven't heard. Did you do a search for side effects?

I have heard that Prednisone can cause anxiety and even psychosis, but never Imuran and/or 6MP. I'd be interested to hear if it's a genuine side effect.

Welcome!!  I have been on Imuran for over a year and have not had any of those issues with it,now,Prednisone was a totally differant story,WHOA,I thought I was going crazy!! I'm 39 and have Chrohns for 7 years,I also have not had any "major" problems",knock on wood,so let's keep our fingers crossed,and good luck!!

Thank you for the replies.

I have been on Imuran for approximately two years without any notable side effects and/or complications.

I became interested in the unknown side effects after a few people approached me with concern about the drug. After much investigation on the drug I found that the "rare" side effects are identical to the symtoms of anxiety and panic attacks.

The psychological side effects of Imuran to my knowledge and after speaking to many in the pharmacetical business has never been formally investigated since statistically the side effects are so rare plus trying to distinguish if the anxiety or panic attacks are in fact related to the drug or another physiological disorder. Trying to correlate pyschological side effects of a medication especially when used in conjunction with a drug that has known psychological side effects, i.e. Predisone is quite a complicated process.

I do hope that perhaps research will be conducted on this subject not only for the drug in question but also for other drugs in safe and effective management of all known side effects regardless if they are statistically unlikely.   

I'm about to go on Imuran this week I was told. Anxiety wasn't one of the things I read that it can do, but I get anxiety from the pred i'm on at times when I taper, I hope it doesn't awake it when I go on Imuran if some people do have that from Imuran. We'll see ;)

I'll keep that idea in mind about taking it a night, thanks broomhilda, good idea! Glad it worked for you that way.

Welcome to HW btw Coltrane, and best wishes! :)

Chrissy, it might be worth investigating especially since panic isn't a specified side effect, however I'm quickly learning through research on this topic that even though it is uncommon it still does occur and many health care professionals are quick to discredit this since it is uncommon.

I do have to ask, have you taken Prednisone within the past year? I'm not certain as to whether it is stated on the drug reference guide but any side effects from Prednisone could take up to a year to diminish upon cessation of the drug.

I'm on Prednisone and Imuran, but started Pred first and it caused a little shaking, however its only a day here and a day there it happens.
Hope Imuran doesn't extend that once i'm off pred. It's odd.

I'm so happy i'm coming off pred tho, it's the worse drug I've ever taken and i've gained 10 pounds in a month over it! I'm not the type of person who eats a lot, and I exercise 3-4 tmes a week.

How's your son holding up now mlfsandiego?