How long til Imuran is out?

[brunotheannoying]

Just a question about Imuran and how long it take to be total out of your system. I stopped taking it to prep for surgery and was hoping it won't interfere to much with the healing process. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
:smile:

 

[CrohnsChicago]

I'm not sure if this is sufficient enough information but this is what I managed to find regarding how long it lasts in your system. I do know how this applies to long term use though, I imagine it would require further research:

Azathioprine is metabolized to 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). Both compounds are rapidly eliminated from blood and are oxidized or methylated in erythrocytes and liver; no azathioprine or mercaptopurine is detectable in urine after 8 hours. Activation of 6-mercaptopurine occurs via hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) and a series of multi-enzymatic processes involving kinases to form 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGNs) as major metabolites (See Metabolism Scheme in Figure 1). The cytotoxicity of azathioprine is due, in part, to the incorporation of 6-TGN into DNA.

SOURCE: http://www.drugs.com/pro/imuran.html

 

[Beach bum]

Not sure about how long it takes to be out of your system.
But my Doc has made a big thing of starting me on it months before I really need it ( for maintenance once my infliximab stops) as he says it takes a long time to build up and become effective.
Not sure if that helps you at all, but thought it worth mentioning.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Not sure about how long it takes to be out of your system.
But my Doc has made a big thing of starting me on it months before I really need it ( for maintenance once my infliximab stops) as he says it takes a long time to build up and become effective.
Not sure if that helps you at all, but thought it worth mentioning.

Yes, it actually takes approximately 2-3 months for it to gain full effect which is probably why your doctor suggested that Beach bum.

I tried looking for information regarding the half-life of Imuran but did not come up with anything sufficient enough to share doing a quick search. If you can determine the approximate half-life of the medication, then you can do the math and have a better idea of how long it may last in your system after you finish taking it.

 

[2thFairy]

I was taken off of Imuran due to mild pancreatitis. I started improving within 48 hours of discontinuing 50 mg.

 

[Kev]

I had a bad reaction to Imuran (Azathioprine). I was taken off it. The crippling pain it had caused ceased within 48 hours.. BUT.. the rash I got from it lasted 11 months. So, I guess there are 2 answers/points of view. The medicine itself should be gone within a few days, but if there are any adverse effects; those can continue for quite a long time. Just an FYI

 

[sunras]

I was taken off 6MP a while back and I think my doctor said it would take 4-6 weeks before my system would stabilize/it would be out of my system.