Coating of Imuran

I have some concern about the Imuran pill. I know them from Germany and they had a coating around them. Here, I get the pill dust on my fingers every time. I read in a package insert that the dust is not healthy and you should wash your hands after you cut a pill (I don't need to cut them). Now that I have this generic version with no coating, I have to wash my hands every time. Is it dangerous? Is there a way for me to request the pills with a coating?

Yes I threw away all my shorts and wear long sleeve shirts. I even bought me a hat.

I don't think anybody on these drugs should be that scared of the sun, yeah take some precautions if you have fair skin or whatever, but jeesh. I'm an outoorsy guy on these meds, and that means being out in the sun a lot in the warmer months. I got a nice tan over the summer outdoors just enjoying life.

My 6mp pills don't have a coating and yeah there is some dust; not worried about it.

I'm confused. Why would the dust be dangerous? Are you saying that ingesting the pills is not dagerous but if you have the dust from the pills on your fingers (and somehow that gets to your mouth) then that is dangerous? If that's really the case I would worry about taking the pills in the first place.

Well this is what the package insert says for the German pill, which come with a coating all the time

German package insert said...
Ist eine Halbierung der Filmtablette erforderlich, muss jeder Hautkontakt mit Tablettenpulver oder den Bruchstellen vermieden werden

Bei Halbierung von Azathioprin beta 50 mg Filmtabletten sollten allerdings die Richtlinien für den Umgang mit zytotoxischen Substanzen streng befolgt werden.

(I know, not helpful)
www.betapharm.de/index.php?id=105248&BINid=4288

Which translates to: Is it required to halve the tablet, any skin contact should be avoided with tablets or the powder breaks.

When halving of beta azathioprine 50 mg film-coated tablets, however, the guidelines for the handling of cytotoxic drugs should be strictly followed.

Not sure why the dust is cytotoxic and I have no idea what that means.

Yes, Gary I thought about the same thing. Why is it bad to touch the dust but it's okay to swallow it and let your tongue and whole digestive tract get in contact with it. I understand, rubbing it into your eyes etc wouldn't be so good.

Anyways. I was just wondering.

If some are that cautious, maybe the use of disposable gloves may help when splitting the pill. I take a lot of Imuran (250mgs)and I'm not too concerned about any dust. Then again, I don't have to split any pills. I mean we ingest the stuff, so a little dust I'm not too concerned about. And as far as the sun exposure, I just make sure that I don't sit in the sun too long and use sunscreen when exposed to ultra violet rays.

Interesting how the doctors poo-poo the dangers of these meds and then the med bottle calls itself "hazardous".

Just started pred today at 30 mgs and, knock on wood, I seem to already be in remission during the first day. In my 3 year UC career this is my first time attempting pred to treat UC. My only issues for many years now have been frequency and urgency only. Gone today. I will not allow myself to become pred dependent. This is less than a 4 week course. It either works for remission or it doesn't. There will be no more upping the dose if I get worse. Doc gave a script for 30mgs per day for 7 days, 20mgs for 7, and 10mgs for the last seven - telling me to take it however I want. I am only going to take the 30 mgs for 5 days instead of seven and then at the end I will do the remaining pills at 10 mgs every other day.