Pentasa and Azathioprine

[Km8367]

Hello! I had a lovely doctor visit today and was told I should be put on Pentasa in addition to taking azathioprine. Not exactly sure why this addition of Pentasa. the azathioprine has helped me with abdominal pain and diarrhea for the most part. I am wondering if anyone out there is taking both of these together and what experiences you may have had with these. i have noticed while being on azathioprine I am more anxious and have occasional chest pain.

 

[seebee]

After my colonoscopy, my GI put me on Pentasa. After he got the biopsy results back, he added 50 mg of Azathioprine. He says the Pentasa helps break down the Azathioprine. After three months of the Pentasa and Aza combo he wants me to try the Azathioprine alone if CRP and ESR are within normal range.

 

[Km8367]

hm. He never mentioned checking the levels of those for me. How has your experience with azathioprine been?

 

[seebee]

I've been on it for the last two months. So far so good.
Hope my blood work from yesterday brings good results. At least I moved to blood work once a month now and not every two weeks (less pokes!).

 

[Km8367]

Ive been on it about one month. Ive noticed I bruise very easily and get bruises randomly. Doctor seems to think its because of malnourishment. Other than that it has helped.

 

[seebee]

I don't know about the bruising but I'm glad to hear that it's helping :ysmile: though they say it can take up to 3 months to feel its full effect.

 

[Holly]

I was on Pentasa initially, and then after a serious flare and hospitalisation they added 50mg of Azathioprine, I had to have a Gamma Radiation Blood Test to check that the Azathioprine was working correctly in my system. (It was) Then I had it upped to 100mg because of my weight.
I am still on Pentasa and Azathioprine. My Consultant has told me to drop off the Pentasa as soon as I finish my Steroids because he says Pentasa is so mild there is no point being on it. :S

 

[randy.stand]

I like Pentasa. I was on it when I was diagnosed along with my Azathioprine. It was stopped about 3 years ago because my doctor says studies show it doesn't really work in Crohns. Had a flare up back in March, had an unsuccessful 9 week course of Pred... Symptoms returned... Back on another 7 week course of Pred along with re introducing Pentasa 4g a day with my Azathioprine 150mg... Been off Pred for a week and no symptoms yet. Think it may be the Pentasa that's doing the trick. I hope so.

 

[Polar a]

I have taken pentasa for a month now but I now have swollen gland on my neck has anyone else had this. I have only been diagnosed with crohns a month ago and I'm unsure about things and to be honest I'm a bit worried.

 

[hawkeye]

I have been on Salofalk since shortly folowing my diagnosis in late-1990 (1 gram 3 times/day since then) and then had Imuran added to the mix about 7 months later (generally between 50-75 then 100 mg/day until 2011 when it was upped to 200 mg/day).

Haven't had any noticeable continual side effects other than nausea the first day I took the Salofalk and headaches when the Imuran dose was upped to 200 mg/day. I have split the dose (100 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the evening) and that helped, although it is possible that the headaches were not necessarily caused by the Imuran. I get bloodwork done every months.

From discussions with my GI, I think the Imuran is generally more effective than the 5-ASA.