Imuran side effects

Hello, very new user and I have searched through so old post on Imuran , but can't seem to find the answer.

I think I may just be a bit whimpy, but just started this drug three days ago and can't stand it. Was wondering if I have to kinda wait it out though. Very nauseous, and get hot then have the chills. I was wondering how others handle this drug? I did not take it today but still to the prednisone and Plaquenil and don't seem bothered by it now. Will try again tomorrow, and if no better will call doc.

Thanks all, Monica

Monica,

Sorry for the delay.  I'm up in LA for the evening for dinner.  Imuran takes 2 months to fully take effect.  Nausea and hair thinning are big side effects.  However, if the nausea is too bad and you're vomitting, definitely call the doctor.  Some people are not able to metabolise Imuran.  There is a blood test from Prometheus labs called TPMT that can determine if and how much Imuran you can tolerate.  If the nausea is tolerable and you can make the 2 months, the side effects usually subside.  I never had bad nausea from it though...maybe a couple of days so I was lucky.  If it really is too bad please call the doc.  They can always try 6-MP which is a metabolite of Imuran (azathioprine) so it works the same way but can be more easily tolerated (the TPMT test can check it too though).  There are other immunosuppressants they can switch you on to...like CellCept, Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus.  Please don't play with your meds though...stopping/starting, etc.  But definitely call the doc!  I know some folks who were terribly ill from the Imuran and had to switch so you are not alone

Good luck with the bday parties!

I've been on Imuran for 4 yrs and at one point the hep wanted to decrease my dose as he thought I was having cholestasis from it.  I didn't want to risk a flare as I'm off pred too so I said no and asked about Urso to treat the thickened bile.  He said OK and that was better.  Now my bloods are spot on fantastic but I'm anemic.  I've been on iron for 5 yrs so not iron deficiency but he thinks I may have a bleed somewhere so I'm having a colonoscopy and endoscopy on Friday to check it out.  While they are in there I'm having them biopsy my small intestine to check for Celiac Disease too.  So I may be having side effects to the Imuran too but just don't know it yet!

I'll let you know!

Oh, could it also be the methotrexate?  You've been on it for a while so unlikely you'd still have the initial possibly intense side effects...better safe than sorry and call if you're still ill with the Imuran.  In any case, they need to know what your side effects to the meds are.

If the increase in Prilosec doesn't help, ask him to change your PPI...Prevacid is over the counter too.  That's the one I was on and probably only had nausea a few days of the 2 yrs I was on pred.  They also have better prescription ones like Protonix and Aciphex.

Sounds like your doc is on it so you're lucky!

And thanks.  I don't mind the odd tests to look into issues.  At least I know they don't blow things off and actively try to make sure all is well with me!

I know they hypochondria feeling.  It's why I avoid calling in sometimes when others would have called in before.  However, it's always better to check in with an odd symptom since not doing so can make it so much worse.