How are flares treated when taking azathioprine and any general advice?

Hello everyone,

I am soon to add in azathioprine and I am wondering what happens when you flare on this drug.

Are we treated with steroids again? If the flares happen too often in a year is the amount of azathioprine increased?

Also I am wondering how best to live on this medication. I notice that other people are wearing factor 50 sunscreen because of the skin cancer risk and are taking their meds at bedtime because it can make you drowsy. Any other tips would be very welcome!

I hope you are all as well as possible and that anyone in a flare will soon be feeling better.

Yes, if you flare while on azathioprine, you have to take steroids concurrently with the aza.

If you have too many flares on azathioprine, your doctor might consider switching you over to 6MP or methotrexate. Another option is to just move to biologics.

Your doctor will usually ensure that the level of azathioprine in your body is correct for your weight. It doesn't work in the sense that you increase the dosage of azathioprine during a flare.

Personally for me, I still live as per how I did before I had this condition. Probably just more conscious of the foods I eat and taking care of my body (sleep, stress levels etc)

Hope it helps and best of luck with your condition!

I've been on 6MP (a sister med to azathioprine) for over 3 years and they haven't given me any significant side effects.

about 20 percent of UC patients feel nausea when initially starting this med, so taking it before retiring for bed with a snack can help avoid it. It's initial, only the first few weeks.

If I'm going to be out in the sun all day then I *try* to remember to put on sunscreen, sometimes I remember and other times not. It's not the end of the world if you do not, you just sunburn a little easier. So, I'd be a little pink the next morning and brown up soon therafter. I'd take reasonable precautions for many hours out in the sun, but don't fear the sun by anymeans.

If your UC is well managed on Aza then your flares will be a lot less frequent, shorter and milder. That said, everyone eventually flares and it's the same basic treatment regardless of whether you're on Aza or any other medication pred, etc.

Certainly be more vigilant of infections requiring antibiotics, e.g., UTI, bronchitis, sinis, etc. As they will come on quicker, be a little stronger, and last a little longer. Seek treatment sooner if you suspect one is coming on.

If your UC is well managed then there should be 1.5-2 years or often a lot more between flares. Anything less is poorly managed case of UC, necessitating stronger maintenance meds. You've got mimimal quality of life if you're flaring twice a year anyways. Gotta at least forget about UC for a few years to count and give you a decent quality of life!