Entyvio and Imuran??

Hi all! Saw my GI today for an office visit. He was less than excited about my response so far to Entyvio. He said that the studies showed there are slow responders and I should not be discouraged (um yes discouraged). I am continuing on and will have my next infusion in a few weeks. I am currently at week 9 since I started.

I'm also doing budensonide suppositories and enemas a compounding pharmacy mixed. Mixed results on those. The enemas are a super thick gel and not the easiest to use.

Anyway my doctor said if we need to in the future we could possibly discuss adding back in Imuran. But that he didn't have much information on the side effects of using Imuran/6mp with Entyvio. I'm not sure what to think on that…..I had many years of remission w/ Imuran after I was initially diagnosed but it stopped working years ago.

Anyone's doctor mentioned using Imuran w/ Entyvio? I was on Imuran with Humira and Remicade.

With tnf-alpha blocking biologics (remicade, humira, and simponi) it is recommend that you concurrently be on an immunosuppressive medication (6mp, imuran, or aza) to prevent the buildup of antibodies. It is not necessary with Entvyio, to my understanding. Maybe your doctor just wants to give your uc the one-two-punch of both Entvyio and a 6mp/imuran at the same time?

I was on Imuran alone for several years after I was first diagnosed. Then it stopped working. I stayed on imuran at an increased dosage when I tried humira. Humira did not work for me so I was hospitalized then tried Remicade. I continued on the Imuran while on the Remicade. I stopped both around the same time as I was still flaring.

Thanks Indycat…trying to stay optimistic. I've just failed med after med for the last few years. I have seen some small positive changes since I started Entyvio so hopefully I will continue to build on those.

I just had my first infusion of Entyvio last week. My dr is having me take 50mg of Imuran to hopefully prevent the buildup of antibodies. I previously took 150mg of Imuran for the last 6 years and somewhere along the way it stopped working. Thankfully I wasn't having symptoms, but my last colonscopy showed otherwise (2/3 totally inflamed). I started Humira in June, but had some odd possible side-effects such as unexplained ankle edema, itchy skin with no rash, and PVCs and slight weight gain. Can't say for sure those side-effects were from Humira, but since the Humira hadn't shown any signs of helping we made the switch. I have been taking an over the counter probiotic for the last 5 years and placebo effect or not, I only go to the bathroom 1-2 times/day instead of 10+ without it. Good luck! I hope Entyvio works for all of us and I can get off Imuran all together 3-6mos from not (that's how long my dr wants me to take it in combination with Entyvio)

I am still off immuran and it is a good thing. For me it is just not a good drug. However Uceris was also a very bad drug for me so maybe it is a body chemistry issue with me.

From what I have read immuran (and the like) is not necessary with Entyvio.

Is this new drug a biologic?

Pink1:

Did the Entyvio wind up working? If so, is it still working?