Azathioprine vs Imuran

I believe the only difference is it is the generic version of imuran therefore cheaper. I def think some generic meds are inferior to the name brands which would explain your scenario. Btw, I've been on remicade since 2009 without imuran and so far no antibodies. I asked my new GI doc last year about adding it for that very reason and he said I don't need it. He is an academic researcher specializing in IBD so I completely trust him. I do realize many docs say the opposite.

You might have addressed this in another post but what about taking 6mp instead? I took 50 mg to start with in combo with remicade for both prevention of antibodies and working against crohns and then dropped it to 25mg because of side effects but it still helps prevent antibodies.

Hi Minnietoty,
I have Crohn's since Jan 2000 & now MS since Dec 2015
I was taking Azathioprine, Allopurinol, Pentasa, Folic Acid, Vit B Complex and Calcium with Magnesium and Vitamin D. for Crohn’s plus famotidine for Acid reflux which I still have to take.

6 years ago, I was having personal issues and I was in remission, so I stopped taking all my Crohn's meds I did still see my GI ever year to do a complete blood work up and do colonoscopy. Luckily I am still in remission, however I now have MS.

I couldn't take 6mp because it would metabolize too fast in my body. So, I was then taking Azathioprine because when it metabolizes in your body it turns into 6mp. Plus, I would have to take Allopurinol to slow it down even more. Plus, I would have to do a blood test every 3 months to check my liver enzymes.

As for Side Effects, you should read everything online on all your medications and how they interact with each other. You should also be tested to see if you have had the JC Virus before you use 6MP/Azathioprine. If you test positive for JCV, you should not take it. Patients that test positive with JCV have a higher risk of getting PML. Plus, you should have blood test every 3 months to test your liver.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and usually fatal viral disease characterized by progressive damage (-pathy) or inflammation of the white matter (leuko-) of the brain (-encephalo-) at multiple locations (multifocal). It is caused by the JC virus, which is normally present and kept under control by the immune system. JC virus is harmless except in cases of weakened immune systems. In general, PML has a mortality rate of 30–50 percent in the first few months and those who survive can be left with varying degrees of neurological disabilities.

Minnie,
Since I am lucky enough to now have MS, I am constantly on line. I wish I stayed on the Azathioprine all these years because it could have been helping hold back my MS. They used to also treat MS with Azathioprine.
I have tried 2 different MS treatments and my body does not tolerate them. I am about to start Tysabri (natalizumab) which is an infusion once a month and has a high risk of the PML if you have had JCV. So I am waiting for a blood test and insurance to approve it. My nuero got me all paranoid about PML and I started to research it. And I found out that approximately 8 years that I was on Azathioprine and I was already at risk. The statistics are crazy 1 in thousand people get the PML if they have had JCV and take these medications. plius each year you take them the risk gets higher.
fyi autoimmune diseases bread more autoimmune diseases!! more and more Crohn's patients are also being diagnosed with MS.
That's why I am on this site. I am trying to find someone with both.
thank you for replying and good luck. don't get all worried about your meds. if you have been on them for awhile, I am going to guess you do not have JCV or PML. But I just wanted you to be informed. I just learned about it myself.
Happy Holidays