How long should we take Imuran?

[Mazen]

I read somewhere that Imuran shouldn't be taken for more than 2 years. I asked my GI and he said that it can be taken for many years. Any experiences with this? What has your GI told you?

Imuran is giving me a slight increase in Bilirubin (1.4) in blood tests, but doctor says it's OK. Any one has this also? I'm now on only 50 mg, as higher doses before have caused me to have toxixity in my body. Not fun:yrolleyes:

 

[mikeyarmo]

Imuran needs to be taken for a minimum of 4-8 weeks to have any results. From there I have heard conflicting things. It has been said by some that there is an increased risk of a type of skin cancer if taken long-term (2+ years). My GI though (and others) have said that there are not any long-term risks with the drug.

In any event, you should always consider taking a different drug if you are not feeling good about staying on the imuran. The 5-ASA drugs are usually seen as safe long-term drugs to remain on (like Pentasa, which I am currently on).

The truth is though that changing drugs might make things worse. What would happen if switching drugs caused the disease to worsen? There is always uncertainty involved here, so you need to do what you feel comfortable doing.

 

[ruthymg]

I took a 50mg dose of Imuran/Aziathioprine for about 4 years


Ruth

 

[Mazen]

I'm already taking Pentasa with the Imuran. I have been taking Pentasa for 6 years.

I was at the doctor today and he said to keep taking both as they are keeping me in remission. I'm afraid to change anything and flare again, so I'll stick with the doctor's advice for now...

 

[DarrylP_Ajax]

I have been on Imuran for about 2 months now at 200mg/day....feeling great, but hoping to not have to be on it for life

 

[GNC Crohn's Man]

With any of the immunosuppresants their is an increase risk of getting cancer...
Imuran you can get lymphoma from since you are activly beating down your white blood cells... So get regular blood work done and have them test for abnormal white blood cells... Also Imuran only works for helping with crohn's if it keeps your white blood cell count in a very specfic range... For this test they have to send your blood work to a special lab that can do the test... I remember when I was on Imuran my insurance didn't pay for this test and the stuff had to be shipped to California to be tested in a lab there... A normal blood count test will just tell them if your levels are F.U.B.A.R... That's about it... For something extermley specfic like I was talking about they have to send it off to a lab and your insurance may or may not pay for the test...

 

[andilynn09]

My GI and the U of Iowa GI both saw told me Imuran is safe to be on long term, as long as it as you are at a safe dose for your size etc. Some people, like me, are more sensitive to it due to the face that i am low in the enzyme that helps metabolize this drug...so I have to have my blood tested even more often than usual to make sure my body is handling the Imuran ok and isn't having toxic effects, as you have had. So far I have been on it for about 4-5 months, and still have not achieved remission w/o steroids - so just be glad you have found something that works. Good for you!

The GI at U of I has been around a long time, and said he feels this is a good safe drug that has been around for probably 30 or 40 years and is becoming more and more useful still today.

 

[ruthymg]

I'm already taking Pentasa with the Imuran. I have been taking Pentasa for 6 years.

I was at the doctor today and he said to keep taking both as they are keeping me in remission. I'm afraid to change anything and flare again, so I'll stick with the doctor's advice for now...

I too took Pentasa and Imuran together and was told by my doc to stay on them as they were keeping me in remission. Unfortunately that remission period didn't last forever and in June this year I had to have surgery. My doc has now taken me off Imuran but I remain on the Pentasa and hope to start Remicade soon. He now thinks Imuran didn't work for me, but for 3 years he thought it did, just goes to show that just when you think you have your crohns under control it comes back with a vengeance. Just keep a close eye on things, mine crept back slowely, just that little bit of uncomfortableness here and there. Hope it keeps you in remission.


Ruth

 

[Skinsfan1229]

theere longer term drugs...i dont knwo where people hear this. Also if people would read or get any google alerts, or even read the CCFA websites, there is NO direct link between TNF-a blockers and immuno-suppresents with cancer, skin, OR lymphoma, in fact they believe these drugs JUST make it easeier to spot PRE-EXISTING cancers.