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Confused about difference between Azathioprine and 6-mp

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/6/2010 10:52 AM (GMT 0)
My consultant (GI) wants me to start 6-mp and the IBD nurse has told me that it won't give me the side effects that I had when I took Azathioprine, such as hair loss, tiredness and constantly feeling sick. 

The information I have read on 6-mp however, contradicts what she is saying and I am confused about the difference between these two medications - to me they look like the same thing.

Has anyone here taken both of these meds and how do they differ with regards to side effects etc?

Thanks

Posted 1/6/2010 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have not taken both but I can tell you one thing, that nurse is wrong. It does indeed cause hair loss, nausea, fatigue and headaches. But fortunately, it usually only lasts until your body gets accustomed to the med. For some, the side effects might be a bit more mild. I take mine at night so I sleep thru any of the side effects.
Posted 1/6/2010 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
I believe the main difference between imuran (azathioprine) and 6-mp is that 6-mercaptopurine is the drug that helps heal the colon and azathioprine is a different drug that you take and your body metabolizes it (breaks it down) and the broken down form is 6-mp (don't quote me on that...)
Both are probably going to have the same side effects. I was on 6-mp and for a couple weeks I was nauseous and had hair loss but it didn't last long. And like Red I took mine before bed.
Posted 1/6/2010 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
     I was on 6MP for seven years but it didn't really keep me out of flares.  It did lower my white count when I was on 100 mgm...drastically, down to 1.6.  The doctor immediately took me off it for a few weeks before resuming it at 50 mgm.  I still flared and am now on Remicade.  The 6MP did cause hair loss but not as much as I am losing now on Remicademad .  Remicade is doing wonders for my ulcerative proctitis but after my 3rd infusion, the 31st of Dec., I feel like crap.  In the early morning hours of Sat, I had diarrhea, fever and body aches.  I felt better on Sunday.  On Monday I started to feel a bit ill again.  Yesterday and today, body aches again, stuffy nose and slight fever.  I hope this is just a bug and not the serum sickness that my GI's associate said on Saturday that the Remicade could cause.
Posted 1/6/2010 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies, I think I understand it a bit better now and it's good to know that side effects are not long-lasting. Taking it before bed to sleep through the side effects sounds like a great idea!
I don't know why the IBD nurse told me that you don't get the side effects mentioned - I will be bringin this up at my next appointment. One really good thing that she did say though was that there had been a large review of cases at a world renowned London hospital that specialises in colorectal disease and there was no link found between developing cancer and long term use of Azathioprine or 6-mp. I found this quite a relief as that has been one of my main concerns about taking immunosuppressants.
Christine1946 - hope you feel better soon and that the Remicade isn't what's causing you to feel bad, especially if it's doing wonders for your ulcerative proctitis!
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