Processing Aza too fast...

[Fishncowboy]

Wondering if there is anyone out there who has struggled with getting the right Aza dosage? My tpmt tests show that I'm a rapid metabolizer. I weigh about 160lbs and am on 200 mg of Aza and still can't get into the range that would qualify as a "theraputic" dose. I am improving from what I'm getting, but have a hard time staying in remission. My doc is hesitant to bump up any higher. I've read a great paper out there, it can be found at http://www.clinicaladvances.com/article_pdfs/gh-article-200601-cuffari.pdf that discusses how variable dosing and metabolites can be.

Anyone else out there require an unusually large dose of Aza?

 

[DustyKat]

No issues here but if you do need higher doses you could look into adding Allopurinol. That will cut the dose of Aza you need by about half to three quarters.

Good luck!

Dusty. xxx

 

[Fishncowboy]

What is allopurinol?... I've never heard of it. How does it work?

 

[DustyKat]

Allopurinol is a drug that is normally used to treat people that have high uric acid levels in their blood but it has a side effect of inhibiting the breakdown of thiopurines (Aza/6MP). It therefore slows down its excretion from the body.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Fishncowboy]

Thanks so much! I printed up a few journal articles. My GI is switching me off Asacol and onto Colazal in hopes that it will better target my problem area, and he's talking about maybe bumping up the Aza if that Colazal switch doesn't help, but it will be nice to talk with him about the Allo option. I like having options in my pocket. Again, thanks for this, I had never heard of it.