Humira with other drugs

[jefferson1776]

Hello. I have started using humira a couple of weeks ago (just finished the induction) and my doctor has informed me that i should still continue using pentasa and imuran. I know all about the risks with taking humira and imuran together and that does not really concern me much, but I am more interested in the actual need to take other drugs with humira. I originally thought that with humira you would not need other medications along with it and ever since I started humira my pain has diminished, but there is still some discomfort, such as bloating. My questions is should I take other medications with humira because I am curious to see if the humira will kick in even more in the coming months. I really do not want to take over 10 pills a day like I have been for five years. I also want to give the humira time to see if that is all I need. If anyone is in a similar situation or is taking similar drugs please offer any of your experiences. Thank you.

 

[Mark63]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. I've been on Humira for nearly two years, but I'm not taking any other Crohn's meds with it. I'm on weekly shots as that was thought to be a better option for me than adding in Methotrexate. I'm assuming from the combination that you are on, your level of inflammation is probably quite high?

There is a school of thought that taking another immunosuppressant along side Humira can lengthen the useful life of the drug. The reason often given is that the rate at which antibodies to the drug are produced is slowed-up. Personally, I'm not sure that argument holds-up well for a fully humanized drug like Humira. It could be a different situation with something like Remicade that is based on mouse proteins?

I'm sure someone else who is on a similar treatment regime will be along soon to add their 10 cents worth.

Wishing you well.

Mark

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

I was on imuran and lialda and we added Remicade. The doc wanted me to stay on all 3, as the imuran helps the effectiveness of the biologics, or something like that. I stopped the imuran after being on remicade for 4 months and my doc made me get back on it. It doesn't seem to make a difference either way.

 

[Miss Underestimated]

I think I have a little more bloat with the Humira - perhaps because things move a little more slowly, or my digestive process is changing.

 

[jefferson1776]

Thank you all so much. This helps out a lot. I have been thinking of asking my doctor if I can maybe take humira every week and not have to take anything else. Thank you all again.

 

[Irene3]

I'm supposed to tale 6mp with the humira, which is like imuran too. My gi said, humira needs a maintanence med, to work long term. I don't like the idea of having another immune suppressant, but I want humira to work, so I take both. Maybe see if in a few months, when symptom free, you can stop imuran. I'd like to see in a few months, on a healthier diet, if I can do the same. But that's if I'm symptom free. Best to stay on fortnightly though, because if in 2 years it stops working, they can then move it to weekly, and you could get another 2 years of the humira controling the crohns symptoms. Their my thoughts at least, best wishes.