Imuran and pentasa.....can we stop the pentasa

[upsetmom]

My daughter has been on pentasa for 8 months . It wasn't helping her so they added imuran about 2 months ago. At our last GI visit they said she could probably stop the penatsa in about a year. It would be a personal choice.

She complains all the time about taking the pentasa...too many tablets , they crumble in her mouth or they get stuck in her throat.

I know the pentasa wasn't helping so i don't see why she has to keep taking them. Any ideas ...
I'm thinking of asking them to take her off them.

 

[Aussie]

Hi Upsetmum, a few issues with stopping.

1. Mesalazine combined with Imuran will increase the TGN levels (active metabolites of Imuran and Purinethol), so stopping the Pentasa may lead to a small drop in TGN levels, easily fixed with a small increase in Imuran dose if required.

2. Pentasa can be useful in enteropathic arthropathy (sore joints associated with IBD), not really an issue if your daughter isn't troubled with sore joints, although if that becomes an issue after ceasing the Pentasa, might be worth considering restarting.

3. Save money by not using a drug that doesn't seem to be doing anything for your daughter.

Best wishes.