Azathioprine question.

[Km8367]

Hi, my doc prescribed me Azathioprine after not much success with asacol. He failed to mention that I should stop taking asacol but after doing research I found that the two shouldn't be taken together. So taking matters into my own hands, I slowly quit the asacol, and have been taking no meds for about a week. I've heard that Azathioprine makes you exteemely fatigued and I have to take a test for graduate school next week. I was wondering if I should still wait and start the aza after my test as this is a very very important test for me to do good on. I am just worried that I won't be in a good state of mind if I start the meds. Thanks!

 

[David]

Hi Km,

The few sites out there saying that Mesalamine (the active ingredient in Asacol) and Azathioprine shouldn't be taken together are mistaken. They DO however interact. Mesalamine has been shown to increase the levels of 6-TGN (a metabolite of Azathioprine) which can be good or can be bad. You want a certain level of 6-TGN and if you're below that level, adding Mesalamine could be good. But if you're too high and taking Mesalamine, then it could lead to side effects.

Anyway, I can understand your predicament about the test. If possible, I'd discuss it with your doctor as there are a variety of options. And not everyone gets extremely fatigued. It's a potential side effect, but not guaranteed.

Best of luck on the test by the way!

 

[Km8367]

Thanks I need all the luck I can get haha. I've tried to talk with my doctor about it but they never return my calls. And I try to make appointments only as necessary because I have no insurance. I haven't been in too much pain since stopping the asacol so I am leaning towards waiting to start the meds until after the test. I have found my energy levels are lower than usual anyway so I'm weary about chancing it and bombing the test.

 

[David]

We have an excellent wiki entry on fatigue that showcases many causes of fatigue that you should read up on. One of the most common is vitamin B12 deficiency. If you haven't been tested for it, I'd suggest doing so. It's not an expensive test. And throw vitamin D in as well if you can swing it. But check out the wiki entry that's linked.

 

[Km8367]

I just started taking b12 pills and my multivitamin has added D as well. I'm hoping I can tell a difference after taking the b12 for awhile. I'll read the wiki too thank you!

 

[David]

If you're deficient in vitamin D chances are the 200-800iu in that multivitamin will be nowhere near enough. And sometimes oral forms of B12 aren't enough either. I know it's tough, but getting tested is definitely in your best interest.

 

[Km8367]

I'll definitely look into the test then!