Azathioprine and 6-MP

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Joined
Mar 23, 2009
Messages
83
I was wondering about the difference between these two drugs. I know they perform the same function (immunosuppresant) but I was wondering whether there was much of a difference in their mechanisms. i.e. will one work where the other hasn't?

I've looked into it a bit and from what I understand Azothioprine gets converted into 6-MP in the body. Has anyone had experience with both drugs and found any difference? Or are they basically just substitutes for each other?

Thanks
 
Well, azathioprine is a prodrug, which means the stuff you're taking isn't exactly the drug itself. It's more like the "raw materials." Then when you take it, those raw materials are metabolized, and it yields 6MP, among other products.

Like you said, azathioprine is converted into mercaptopurine. From there, a bunch of complicated stuff happens to the mercaptopurine, but it eventually creates a kind of false base that is incorporated into your DNA. This false base interferes with certain cells' abilities to grow and reproduce. In the case of IBD treatment, it stops the proliferation of cells that would cause the immune system to be overactive. Or something.

That's just my limited understanding of things though, so I could be explaining it wrong.
 
Hi Procyon

So does that mean there wouldn't be any value to switching from aza to 6MP if aza isn't working?
 
I'm fairly certain that it's worth a try if the aza isn't working. Although its difficult to distinguish the mechanism of action between the two, there must be some sort of difference... Lots of people end up trying the other if one doesn't work for them. :)
 
Raf -
I think Procyon's explanation is correct.

I asked my GI and her explanation is that 6mp is slightly less complicated for body to absorb (with aza, your body metabolizes and converts it to 6mp whereas with 6mp pills you skip this step). For some reason, some bodies seem to react better to one drug over another while for others there is no difference.

I'm on 6mp. Seems to be working fine.
 
Thanks guys. It's just good to know that there's something else out there that I can try. Keeps the spirits up when you find out yet another med hasn't worked.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top