HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

azathioprine

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/10/2013 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,


Just started on azathioprine (I believe its know as Imuran in the US), been on 50mg for two weeks and have now gone up to 100mg - so far no adverse reactions or side effects I am aware off, first few blood tests have come back fine. Also currently on a 9 week course of pred, 40mg for two weeks then tapering by 5 mg a week (currently at 35 mg).

Just wondering if there are many people out there who have had success with this drug? I understand it can take from a few weeks to several months to become effective. Also wondering how long people are generally on aza? I've had a look online and studies only seem to go up to the 5 years mark but there is significant anecdotal evidence of people being on it much longer.

Starting aza was not a decision I took lightly but UC has basically ruined my life for the last couple of years so if it can help me get back to normal then its worth a go. Interestingly, my GI informed me there are approx 2000 patients who attend my clinic and 70% of them are on aza so there must be a reasonable number of people who do well on it.
Posted 5/10/2013 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
I started 100 mg of Imuran around 6 months ago. It took about two months for it to kick in and now I consider myself in remission! My life is finally back. I recomend getting frequent blood work done, checking your liver functions. Don't read into all the bad hype about this drug, it saves our lives as well as our colon. If you monitor it right it can be a real life saver. I look forward to seeing how you are doing in months to come. :)
Posted 5/10/2013 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
You will never be off the AZA unless it is not working and if it was working you would be foolish to stop as you would surely flare again sometime in the future. With UC it is best to continue maintanence meds forever because if you flare again chances are what worked before either won't work again or does not work as well.
Posted 5/10/2013 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I think with the stronger meds the thought can sometimes be worse than the reality (although not always!)

My GI had been recommending aza for a while but I resisted, wanted to persevere with the asacol.

I will be getting blood tests every week for the first 6 weeks then every second week and eventually once a month so keeping a good eye on things.

I've had a look on a couple of other forums and have found people who have been on aza for over 20 year with no serious side effects.

I'll just have to see how it goes, the pred knocked me back into remission within a couple of days and I feel pretty normal again but i still have the dreaded taper to come, if I can get off the pred and maintain remission I'll be delighted!

I realise side effects can manifest at any time but so far so good!
Posted 5/11/2013 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
i have been on imuran 100mg /day..no side effect
Posted 5/11/2013 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Jonny - I completely understand how you want to taper off predisone and be in remission! I actually tried that without taking my maintenance drug as well (imuran) and FAIL! Not something I recommend. I guess I needed to see for myself what would happen or I would always question it. Imuran is great if it puts you into remission. It beats all the problems that come along with UC, so if you have your blood taken regularly you should be ok!
Posted 5/11/2013 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
https://www.healingwell.com/sitesearch.aspx?cx=010904608862850737972%3Abe-6h9dblc4&q=Azathioprine&sa.x=48&sa.y=12&cof=FORID%3A9&siteurl=www.healingwell.com%2Fcommunity%2Fdefault.aspx%3Ff%3D38&ref=&ss=156j24336j2
Posted 5/11/2013 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
It's interesting that the doc's clinic has such a high rate of immunosuppressive users. Two GIs I've been with have had majority on mesalamines. So it must be a focus of treatment at that clinic.
Posted 5/11/2013 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
When first diagnosed I was put on 200mg pentasa, the moved on to asacol and now its Aza. As far as I know all the GI's at my clinic follow a method of starting with the less powerful meds and escalating treatment if flare ups persist. In my area this has lead to a situation where a majority are on aza.

I suppose in an idea world you want patients to be well on as little medication as possible (wishful thinking!)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply