Azathioprine to infliximab

[Robahn]

Hi All,


Saw my GI today and he is increasing my dose of azathioprine from 100mg to 150mg (I am 54kg is this safe)

If this does not work we are looking at remicade/infliximab, and then if this fails surgery.

does anyone have experience (and hopefully success) with these treatments at all?

thnaks

 

[beth]

In the sub-forums here: Imuran/Azathioprine and here: Remicade/Infliximab you will find lots of peoples experience of these drugs.

 

[Welsh-bird]

Hi Robahn- increasing your Aza dosage would seem to be the logical answer. It's usually dosed at 1.5-2.5mg per kg of your weight, so it would seem to just about fit. Did they mention a quick course of Pred to get any inflammation under control quickly,and to help whilst waiting for the increased dose to kick in?
Sorry, can't help with regards Infliximab, but it would be the next course of action if the Aza fails to get things back under control.

 

[Robahn]

Hi Andrea,

Yes I'm currently on 35mg of prednisolone and tapering down but things don't seem to be under control as pain and spasms seem to increase as I drop down on the pred

 

[Welsh-bird]

How long have you been on Pred?

 

[Robahn]

Five weeks so far, apparently the axa won't kick in until four months or so, so a little worried about decreasing the pred so soon

 

[Welsh-bird]

Sorry for all the questions- but how long have you been on 100mg of Aza? Is it a new drug for you? I don't remember being told that my increase in dose would take as long to take affect as when I initially began taking it and waiting for it to get into my system.

 

[Robahn]

Hi,

No worries my info was kind of sparse.

I was admitted to hospital about 6 weeks ago and diagnosed with crohns and they put me on 40mg of pred and 50mg of aza. They said thy the aza would take several months to take effect and the pred was an interim measure until the aza could take effect. Then started tapering but got a lot of pain, so my gi increased the aza dose to 100mg, then after today's appt he increased it again to 150mg as my inflammation and ulceration is quite severe unfortunately... I'm not sure Irvine increased dosage will reduce the one it takes to have an effect

 

[rygon]

Im on both aza and infliximab. I started on aza and that didnt work too well, neither did pred. Ive so far had 2 IV infusions of infliximab. you still need to stay in aza with this to stop your antibodies from fighting the infliximab. So far after 2 shots I feel much better (although not perfect).

 

[Allystyle]

Aza worked great for me for while.
Due to surgery they moved me to inflix then humira

When I miss doses I sure notice the difference!