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Maximum Imuran Dose ?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/22/2012 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
I was wondering what the maximum dose of Imuran was for UC?
I am currently on 175mg daily (increased from 150mg approx 6 weeks ago). My doctor mentioned we have room to move to 200mg, but I did not get to ask what happens if that does work?
Each time we increase I feel sick...nauseous,tired etc for a couple of weeks. My blood comes back "fine"...whatever that means however, I always look pale.
I have been reading the forum for a while now and its great to hear everyone's advice, as it really does help, but I would like to hear from others who might be on the same level of meds or who have been at this level and how they have progressed.

Even though I was diagnosed last year in August, I believe I may have had UC for years..I only truly realised something was definitely wrong when I had bleeding. I was putting up with bad gas and strange stools for years. I thought it wasn't anything to truly worry about until the blood appeared.
Posted 9/22/2012 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'd try not to worry too much I was on 150mg Imuran which seems to be the most common dosage I seem to remember my GI telling that it was not worth taking under 100mg for an adult dose as it would'nt have enough effect,and then when I got one quite bad flare I seem to remember him telling me I could increase to 200mg if needed so we still had room for manuevre(I think 200mg is about the maximum dose they are comfortable with) I did'nt increase in the end as a short course of pred knocked it on the head.
Maybe if it calms down again can gradually decrease your dose back down to 150 mg again
Posted 9/23/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
My Dr tells me it is based on weight.

2 to 2.2mg of Imuran per Kg of weight.

I am on 225, and my bloods are coming back indicating (after 2 months) that it is doing what is should be.

Hopefully this third taper off pred will work now (at 10mgs currently)
Posted 9/23/2012 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I commonly see people taking 150mg but I don't think 200mg is considered out of the ordinary. I was on 75mg of 6mp for a while and my GI was considering having me increase to 100mg. I ended up having low counts at 75mg and had to stop and restart. Now I am doing well at a very low dose but I don't think your dose is abnormal. It really depends on the results from your bloodwork.
Posted 9/23/2012 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
AFAIK, 2mg/kg of body weight.
Posted 9/23/2012 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Jovana-
I'm on Imuran as well, I'm on 100mg and according to my doctor that is the perfect amount for my weight. You are dosed by your weight and the severity of your disease. Therefore the maximum dosage one is on is going to be different. For example I'm a 27 year old female weighing 115 ibs with moderate-severe colitis. I hope this helps!! But if you do feel sick all the time I would talk to your doctor about this, that is not fun :(
Posted 9/24/2012 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
I weigh 250 lbs and I have been on 150 mgs for 4 months now, and it is working OK? Still bleed a bit here and there...I am assuming my doc is going to increase my dose on my next appt
Posted 9/24/2012 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I am on 200mg of imuran. I weigh about 140lb. I started at 100mg and kept going up in dosage. It has made a world of difference, but am not in remission. Remicade starts in 3 days... Good luck to you!
Posted 9/25/2012 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all of you for your input. I currently weigh approx 149 pounds.I guess what I am worried about is what is next if Imuran does not work. I do realise Remicade would be next, but the doctor has not mentioned this yet. It was an option when I was in hospital, bur then he decided to go with Imuran. The rectal meds do help, but each time the blood starts to creep back. It starts as a tiny amount on the toilet paper and I hope that it will stop there, but it always progresses.
Posted 9/25/2012 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
My script is 50mg for my 116 lbs of weight. I haven't started, possibly start tomorrow after I see my doctor.
Posted 9/25/2012 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
annG, I have been on as much as 150 mg of imuran, but found that 50mg keeps me in the therapeutic range, so doses under 100mg can still be effective, it depends on your size and how your liver metabolizes it. Even larger folks like me can finnd a low dose to be effective : )
I'm 6' 4" and about 195lbs, I like that a small dose works for me, it cuts down on side effect concerns.
Posted 9/25/2012 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
FWIW, I take 200 mg and have for 5 years.  I weigh about 190.  Works for me!
Posted 9/25/2012 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 100mg for 6 years then upped to 150mg for a year. I had a prometheus test done last year that showed I was on the low end of the therapeutic range. That's when they upped my dosage to 150. I've weighed anywhere from 90 lbs-135 during that time.
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