How long does it take for Aza to work?

[SophieL]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, have had CD for about 3 years but have a very rare form so was only diagnosed this January after lots of poking and prodding. Just wanted to ask a quick question about Aza - I realise it's probably different for everyone but just out of interest, how long did it take for aza to start work/work totally (if at all) for you?

I've been on it for 3 months now and haven't really noticed any big improvement in my symptons. Was on pred for 2 months when first diagnosed which seemed to do the trick but now I'm off it, all the inflammation seems to have come back.

Any input appreciated! Thank you very much

Sophie

 

[Creepy Lurker]

It has a cumulative effect, and usually takes 3 months to get up to full strength.

Improvements may be slow, but if there has been no change in the inflammatory markers on your blood test then you may want to kick up a fuss with your doc.

 

[SophieL]

The problem there is that I have extremely localised Crohn's and my inflammatory markers have never been particularly raised because of that. Is that the only way of telling if the drug has worked? My doctor just assumed that since pred worked in some way, aza would as well. Apparently not

Thank you for your reply.

 

[BWS1982]

Aza isn't working much for me. Still in a 10 month flare, been on Aza for the last 7.5 months of it, still flaring. Remicade, anitbiotics, and prednisone/solumedrol (to an extent) are the only meds to make ANY improvement for me. I'm probably going off the AZA soon in fact.

 

[SophieL]

It's strange though, I just assumed that aza would have the same effect (eventually) as the pred, since it's called a 'steroid sparing drug'.

 

[BWS1982]

If I understand correctly, "steroid sparing" simply means it could spare you the trouble/risk of having to use steroids, since their side effects suck. Kind of like if you wanted to call Remicade and Humira "surgery sparing" medications, in hopes they'll prevent the need for surgery.

 

[katiesue1506]

It takes about 3-4 months to start working... it also takes that long for it to stop working... so any side effects will last an extra 3 months.

Imuran didn't do much for me... just made me lose my hair and fatigued.

 

[elp888]

i've been on Aza for about 3 months now... had surgery 3 weeks ago and the Aza is supposed to work as a maintenance drug. can't really tell if it's doing anything. am losing a bit more hair than usual though....

good luck!

 

[SophieL]

'Not really working' seems to be the general response to aza. My doctor thinks it's the best chance at getting into remision so will keep going with it for a while longer. Would rather stay with aza than try the big guns.

Thank you everyone!

 

[BWS1982]

My regular doctor told me in January that the risks/sides with Aza are actually worse than those of Remicade when I inquired about Remicade before they put me on it.

 

[Creepy Lurker]

I've been on Azathioprine for about 4 years now. It was combined with steriods at first, but now it's the only drug I take.

It doesn't work anywhere near as quickly as steroids, but it's the only thing that's helped me and can be used in the long-term as well.

 

[karl]

I've been on Azathioprine for about 4 years now. It was combined with steriods at first, but now it's the only drug I take.

It doesn't work anywhere near as quickly as steroids, but it's the only thing that's helped me and can be used in the long-term as well.

finally a positive story. hopefully i will have the same outcome as you ylol2: creepy lurker!)

do you suffer hair loss? i'm 25 and have been receding and thinning since 18, it has sort of leveled off in the past few years, but is happening. it's inevitable in my family. i could deal with being bald if it meant no cramping

 

[Creepy Lurker]

finally a positive story. hopefully i will have the same outcome as you ylol2: creepy lurker!)

do you suffer hair loss? i'm 25 and have been receding and thinning since 18, it has sort of leveled off in the past few years, but is happening. it's inevitable in my family. i could deal with being bald if it meant no cramping

Not really. I'm quite lucky really. It seems some people struggle with Aza sometimes. I only had a minor problem about a year ago (vasculitis).

That said, I was born with a stupidly high forehead, and incredibly thin hair, so it could well be happening and I haven't noticed. :tongue:

 

[SophieL]

Creepy lurker, how long did it take for you to feel the full effects then? I suppose that'd be harder to gauge since you were on steroids at the same time. Basically, when should I 'give up' on it?

Thank you for your reply, very glad to hear it's worked for someone!

 

[Creepy Lurker]

Creepy lurker, how long did it take for you to feel the full effects then? I suppose that'd be harder to gauge since you were on steroids at the same time. Basically, when should I 'give up' on it?

Thank you for your reply, very glad to hear it's worked for someone!

It probably took about two years until I was finally in remission.