Remicade twice as effective with combination of azathioprine.

[kiny]

Azatriopine (which most people know under names like Imuran) makes Remicade (infliximab) twice as effective according to this study:

it's from 2010

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100414184209.htm

I remember getting infliximab + imuran, hope to get on it again in a week.

Did you get imuran with your infliximab or not?

 

[JSOAngel]

I fall under the 1% of the population that can't even be in the same room as imuran. It put me into the hospital last year with severe pancreatitis....not a fun week! It is after that disaster that I was started on Remicade, and I have enjoyed life ever since!

 

[Mark63]

I'm another of the 1% who developed pancreatitis, even on a low starting dose of Azathioprine. Remicade came afterwards and I developed an intolerance to that before it cold do any good. I've since been told that the combination of these two drugs, although effective, can lead to a significantly increased risk of Lymphoma. Perhaps that was just for me as I already have a family history of Lymphoma?

All I can say is discuss this treatment option very thoroughly with your GI before embarking on it.

Mark

 

[JSOAngel]

I think the increased risk of Lymphoma is for any of us on these drugs, as I have already had to have tests on the lymph nodes in my neck for possible Cancer. Its the fact that these drugs weaken the immune system that makes us more susceptible to infections and serious ailments...

 

[Mark63]

I think the increased risk of Lymphoma is for any of us on these drugs, as I have already had to have tests on the lymph nodes in my neck for possible Cancer.

Yes, I understand the risk and I made an informed decision to go ahead with the drugs individually. The combination therapy as well as the genetic factors would prevent me going this route, however it could be the right thing for some others.

Sorry to hear that you've had to go the biopsy route, it's another stress factor that we don't really need. In my case the nodes that came up went down again over time, so were probably just signs of infection being fought by the body.

Here to the day that there is an effective treatment for all with minimal risk/side effects.