Does Azathioprine work?

Anyone have success while taking Azathioprine? Does it help keep the colon from flaring? I am going to start taking it soon but would like to here from others if it really helps? I know it takes 2 months to begin working.

I've been taking only Azathioprine for almost 5 years and I've only had one minor flare that whole time. It's the only thing that's worked for me. Good luck! Oh, and taking it in the evening really helps with feeling tired from it, especially in the beginning.

Been on 150mg (bedtime) for 3 years. Occasionally get the odd minor flare and am now coming out of a medium flare with the aid of a steroid enema (Hycort).

I'm not gonna say it's great but my GI said that I would be looking at surgery without it.

Like what happens with a lot of other meds, I'm sure there will come a time when it will eventually lose it's efficacy.

Hopefully by that time something else will be rolled out by our masters (big pharma), so they can make mega billions off Americans with bottomless insurance plans.

To be honest I've never been comfortable with it as it compromises the immune system and causes some interesting side-effects that can vary with with other people. In my case it tends to give me skin problems and annoying rashes on my scalp.

Try it though and good luck with it. (takes a few months to kick-in)

I would say definitely try it. The problem is that, if it works, the effect is very gradual so it is hard to figure out whether it is helping or not. I managed to maintain something pretty close to remission while I was on it, and certainly got worse when I stopped taking it. The main downside I found was that I just didn't feel 100% great (tired etc...). Stopping taking it felt like a big weight was taken off my shoulders. I didn't try taking it at night though - wish I'd come across that idea at the time (and wish our GIs gave us useful advice like that).

One other thing - when you first take it I think it is pretty common to feel fairly awful for the first couple of weeks while your body gets used to it. Plan to spend plenty of time in bed to help your body out.

I have been on it for the past 2 1/2 years. Was in remission for nearly 2 years (have been mildly flaring for the past 6 months - can't seem to shake it).

I was on a very low dose (75mgs) for the first 2 years but have increased my dosage to 175mgs after my latest flare.

I would say try it as it seemed to work for me (well for 2 years anyways!).

Good luck,
Jonathan

Think so. Been on it 3 years, one flare which lasted a few weeks in all that time, a few little bits here and there but nothing compared to three years ago