HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

azathioprine and remicade

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/9/2012 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Anybody on both? Thoughts? Two serious drugs are scary.
Posted 2/9/2012 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I take 6mp and while I would prefer not to, I haven't been dealing with UC symptoms lately and I am thankful for that.
Posted 2/9/2012 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on 6mp and Remicade. I don't like being on any meds, let alone these ones but for now I can't complain. I finally hit remission after flaring for years. Being on both increases the chances of getting cancers however, being on an immune suppressor can decrease the likelihood of producing antibodies against Remicade.
Posted 2/9/2012 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
I'm currently on both and the more research I do the less I like the idea. My GI wants me to be in remission for at least a year before taking me off one of them. My current concern is since starting both together I sleep all the time (at least 12 hours a day) and while working and being a college student I find that all my time is spent doing one of these three activities. Even more concerning to me is the risk factors of being on both long term. I think that it is a personal choice you will just have to make, but I suggest doing lots of research first and not just simply starting med because your doctor wants your to like I did.
Posted 2/9/2012 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
All the info I've gathered suggests a decrease in safety profile when combining the two. Therefore, if both are needed to gain remission, so be it....but make a plan to step down from one when you can. I believe once the colon heals during remission, you can focus on alternatives to aid in stepping down from one of the big guns.

Post Edited (trojen) : 2/9/2012 7:00:28 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/9/2012 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on imuran, no problems at all
Posted 2/9/2012 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Azathioprine and remicade for 6 months, my GI took me off of the Aza and I am still on the remicade. My understanding is the Aza would help me not build up antibodies to the remi to give it a chance to work.

I was scared and I have had reactions to drugs before, but ok on the combo of both. It is a hard decision to make.
Posted 2/9/2012 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
The 1 in 5000 risk of lymphoma is scary. I'm just over 30 so my doc says risks are a little less than that now that I'm not over 30. So did any of you have remission for the first time with this combo? And is any healing happening?
Posted 2/10/2012 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I am in a great remission from this combo :) It also has helped my other AI issues. I've flared for years off and on, mostly on and this is the first time that a remission is making me feel 100% normal.
Posted 2/10/2012 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I did great on the 5ASA's but can't take them b/c I am in a very small percentage that get kidney problems from it. The Aza on its own did not keep me flare free. It took 9 months for me to get into remission and the first six of those I was on Aza and remi.

Incidentially I think the remi is helping my kidneys and all I take is a vitamin a day now besides the infusions, I feel so good and work out a lot and I had forgoten what it felt like to feel good.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply