i've had the prometheus test, it tests your tpmt enzyme levels. mine was slightly below normal, but my GI said it was good enough to prescribe me with the normal dose. i think she said normal is 21 and mine was 18. dosing goes by how your test comes comes out and your weight.
89% of the population has a normal level of tpmt, 10-11% has below normal level and might be started on a lower amount of aza, 0.3% has no detectable enzyme and cannot take it because they will not be able to break it down and will have liver toxicity.
dosing goes by body weight, usually 2 - 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. i currently weigh about 125-128 lbs and i'm on 50mg daily.
it can take 2-6 months for it to start working, although my GI said it might start within the first month for some people.
side effects can include nausea, joint and muscle aches, and fever. also, it lowers your ability to fight infections.
2-8% of people can develop pancreatitis, it will usually show itself with the first month. you would feel intense sharp pain in your middle chest, going to your back, also would have fever and nausea. they would do a blood test and CT scan to check on your pancreas.
2% of people can get bone marrow suppression, which would show up as low white cell counts.
it also carries the risk of lymphoma, rarely.
i get my blood tested every 2 weeks, i get a total blood count and liver function and a white cell count. she reads off a couple of other things too, but i don't know what they are, just that they are normal and getting better with each testing.
it can be used as a long term drug for remission, some people have used it for 17+ years. my GI said that is has been around for decades.
its pretty inexpensive. my insurance generic copay is $15, so i get 30 days worth for $15. if i did not have insurance, it would be $30 a month. so, a dollar a day or so. i'm not sure on the pricing of imuran, i just know what the generic aza costs
damn, thats informative
