HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Imuran vs. Pentasa

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/16/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
What are the side effects to each of these (Imuran and Pentasa) and which is more likely to help with CD in the long run??
Posted 8/16/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Is your doctor offering one or the other? What are your symptoms and where is your disease located? A lot of people find that the two work well together. A little bit more information might be helpful.

Basically Pentasa is a 5-ASA that is released in the small intestine. It is the same as old school Asulfasalazine without the sulfa. Imuran is an immuno-suppressant (sister drug to 6MP) and comes with more complications, including suppressed immune system and some liver damage if not monitored properly. Both drugs however are considered on the milder scale of CD drugs and are often used together or with prednisone as a cocktail.
Posted 8/16/2011 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
I will second what Zanne says about the two working together
Posted 8/16/2011 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently on Pentasa and my doctor is suggesting I switch to Imuran because I still have flare-ups every now and then and he is worried about possible blockages in the future. My crohn's is in the ileum. I think that in the long rum Imuran will help me for the better but am concerned about the side effects!! Mainly hair loss, problems with fertility, possible cancer, and does it make you feel very fatigued? I also heard that frequent blood tests are a must on this medicine? Does anybody have suggestions or comments that has taken it before?

Post Edited (HMJ) : 8/16/2011 3:32:52 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/16/2011 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on 6MP for over 13 years. When I started I was also on Pentasa and Prednisone. My dosage of Pred has been up and down, sometimes off entirely. Pentasa was stopped about 4 or 5 years ago. 6MP has remained consistent. It is the sister medication to Imuran, it just metabolizes differently, but works basically the same. Before this cocktail, I was in and out of the hospital and operating room. Since then, I was admission free. I did just recently have a resection, but it was for adhesions and scar tissue, not active disease. I have not had any of the bad side effects. I do have some liver functions that come back abnormal, but at the next testing they are back in line. The blood work is every few weeks initially, but then every few months and gradually down to once every 6 months or so, not really too bad. The side effects you read about are mostly when the drug is taken as a chemo drug at much higher doses than we take it. If you take your dose at bedtime, the fatigue isn't so much of an issue because you sleep through it, though I never had this as a side effect. I can't speak to fertility since I had already had my kids when I started it. I am sure there will be others along who have more info to share shortly.
Posted 8/17/2011 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello HMJ, I was on imuran for 13 years and aside from the blood work to check your liver there aren't really any side effects that ever came out of being on the drug. Imuran is an interesting med in how many things it can be used for, to think something that can be used to help the body accept a new organ can also help some with crohns disease. Prednisone is a more problematic med out of imuran and itself. Prednisone with its mood swings, weight gain, stunted growth and a good handful of other side effects.

The biggest issue with imuran is simply if its going to work for you or not. The body can use imuran in one of two ways, sadly it has to use it the correct way in order for you to see relief from your crohns disease. This can be found out with simple blood work after being on imuran. Unfortunately after being on imuran for 13 years (along with predisone) my body stopped using it the right way and I then had to find a new medicine to help me. Which I was allergic to the regular treatments for crohns the 5 -ASA.

Which brings me to my biggest question, I am confused as to why if your Pentasa is working somewhat all ready that your doctor does not simply increase your dosage or in agreeance with Zanne why imuran cannot simply just be added as well. There is also the possibility simply try one of the other 5-ASA sisters. Your on Pentasa but there's still Asacol, Azulfidine, Dipentum, and Colazal. But to simply take you off Pentasa and switch over to just Imuran makes no sense whatsoever. I hope the best for you that you are able to find some relief.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply