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Humira VS Imuran Whats the difference?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/26/2012 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Whats the difference and do UC people get treated with Humira?
Posted 9/26/2012 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran suppresses the immune system and Humira is like Remicade - a TNF blocker - it suppresses or blocks the inflammation markers in the body. Yes Uc'ers can use Humira but the success rate is not very high, tho some do well on it.
Posted 9/26/2012 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
So which is better blocking the inflammation or taking down the immune system a few notches? so confusing. Im meeting with my GI at 3pm today to discuss new medications.. biologics I think she called them
Posted 9/26/2012 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the biologics are Humira and Remicade. I am not sure about Humira but Remicade uses mouse proteins which is why they're called biologics. Usually the biologics are better for taking down the inflammation but it's not unusual to be on both an immune suppressor and a biologic.

Personally I feel that Remicade is the better choice for Uc'ers than Humira - mainly because Remi has a higher success rate. Both biologics and immune suppressors take the immune system down a notch or two.
Posted 9/26/2012 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
since i"m moving on from 5 asas that tear up my gut, can any of you weigh on what they think is best for people with UC. I'm hearing about Imuran a lot. Dr-A is very encouraging about this drug. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it works for me!

Thanks :)

Linda

Posted 9/26/2012 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly, it's a crapshoot as to which one is better, IMO. Some people respond really well to Imuran, some don't. Some people respond really well to Remicade and Humira, some don't.

Personally, as your symptoms don't seem to severe at this point, I'd probably try Imuran first. It's got a longer history, so to speak, when you're looking at potential long-term side effects. The only reason I'd skip over Imuran and try Humira/Remicade first is if I'm really acutely ill and having terrible symptoms. Humira/Remicade will generally kick in faster than Imuran.
Posted 9/26/2012 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
6mp and Imuran are essentially the same med. Imuran breaks down into 6mp in the liver - 6mp is the straight up form. It depends on how your body is going to metabolize these meds that the doc determines which one is better. Some do better on Imuran and some do better on 6mp so I would recommend you try either of these two before going straight to a biologic.

Biologics are expensive and is usually considered the "last line" of treatment. Biologics don't take as long to see a result while 6mp or Imuran can take several months (typical is 3 months) to become effective.
Posted 9/26/2012 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I'd try Imuran first then move on to the Biologics. In my opinion, imuran is a safer drug, it's been around a long time and you take it in pill form.
Biologics have not been around very long, so long term effects have yet to be documented.
Also, Humira & Remicaide are taken by infusion, which cannot be that pleasant.
best of luck.
Posted 9/26/2012 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Humira is a shot, Remicade is an infusion. I heard the shots hurt but the Remicade infusion is actually sort of relaxing to be honest lol
Posted 9/26/2012 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
The shots don't hurt. Little sting for about 10 seconds. Really not bad at all. This is coming from a nervous nelly!
Posted 9/26/2012 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Where do you normally do the shot Faithmac? A bit OT but my husband's co-worker's mom has RA and she does the shots, she says she sometimes cries because they hurt so bad. Perhaps there is an easier place for her to do them? I'm not quite sure where she does it on her body.
Posted 9/26/2012 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Humira is really a "pen" not a syringe style needle, you don't even see it when it's injected. The humira pen shots don't hurt at all in the thigh and just a bit of a pinch if you do it in the stomach. I hate needles, hate them and always have but the Humira pens were nothing. Remicade infusions were also easy. Now the Cimzia shots I do now, with an actual syringe style needle, I can't even give them to myself, my wife who is a nurse has to do it for me, can't take actually seeing the needle go in, but those don;t even hurt when she does them..... No offense to that "co-worker" but she must be shooting them into her eye or something if she is crying because the Humira pens don't hurt at all...
Posted 9/26/2012 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Fruitgirl is right. It is all a crapshoot. There is almost no way to tell which one will work on you or if any of them will. It's like a used car mechanic trying to fix a used car. First you try this, then you try that, and you keep on trying until you hopefully finally find something that works. Normally they start out with the least toxic meds and work their way down to the more dangerous stuff. Most of the doctors books go something like this, the 5ASA's meds and enemas, prednisone and steroid enemas, Imuran and 6MP, and then to the biologics Remicade and Humira.
Posted 9/27/2012 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Red_34 I give myself the shot in the upper thigh. Meaty part! It says to hold or 10 seconds, I hold for 30 . I made the nurse do all the preloading . I felt so silly after I started giving it o myself. It was really nothing. Hope it keeps on working . Have no desire to sit for hours in an infusion center. Rather be doing something else. Hate hospitals!
Faith
Posted 9/27/2012 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
garylouisville, youre right about it being a crapshoot, but Imuran you can stop anytime if you think it's not working where as Remicade is for life.
I think it's prudent to start with the less severe meds and work your way up if you absolutely have to.
Posted 9/27/2012 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
It's a crapshoot. I was in a long flare. My GI went straight to Humira . He said it would work much Faster. I would have gone on remicade at that point. What made him choose Humira vs remicade who knows. Imuran was also a consideration at the time. There are a lot of new drugs being tested now. Hopefully some will really work well I hope.
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