Side effects of mercaptopurine

[Bryonyboo]

I started on 75mg of mercaptopurine 3 weeks ago. The nausea faded after a couple of weeks, but I now just feel rubbish and wondered how much I can put down to side effects ( bearing on mind I'm in remission and have been feeling fantastic for the last 6 months).
I feel tired, bone tired, like exhausted for no reason.Poor sleep, back ache, stomach bloating, constant headaches. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced any of these side effects and whether they will stop! Feeling very miserable, I know I have to be on it to stay in remission but I feel so crappy it's just depressing , especially when I've been glowing with health recently!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Awful. I experienced this profound weakness and was always sick during my years on 6mp. Why are they putting you on this and at the higher dose if you are in remission? Were you on anything to get into remission? I understand wanting to keep flare free but this seems a bit of overkill if you ask me.

 

[Bryonyboo]

It's not a higher dose when you work it out against my weight, lol! I was on azathioprine for 10 years, but it didn't stop me getting a fistula. They took me off it last year and I had 2 fistula ops, which were a great success, but they want to keep me on an immunosupressant to make sure the Humira keeps working and my fistulas don't come back. Its a catch 22 really as I would be a massive rectal trouble if the fistulas come back, but at the same time, having had a 10 month break from drugs it has made me realise how horrible they make you feel! I'm just hoping this will pass, sigh :-( azathioprine was fine to start with but got worse over the years, perhaps this will be the other way round, she said hopefully!!

 

[shawnagio]

been 75 mg also for the 6month (up from 50mg). I would say the side effects get better or you just get used to it. I am still having issues so I wish I could say it was just from this one. All I know once I am something for awhile it gets better (or used to it)

 

[CrohnsChicago]

I'm also in remission and gaining weight and I'm dreading the potential for an upped dosage myself

Many people report symptoms subsiding after a few weeks, sometimes it takes a while longer. Mercaptopurine side effects: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-590...ame=Mercaptopurine+Oral&source=0&pagenumber=6

You mention you are on Humira as well...or did you stop taking this already? (not 100% sure from what i read). If you are in fact still on Humira that could defnitely be a contributing factor to your symptoms: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-647...rugid=64713&drugname=Humira+SubQ&pagenumber=6

Just curious, was the 10 month break because of the surgery and the surgery is what put you into remission?

Hopefully things ease up soon. But be sure to let your doctor know of your symptoms if you don't get any better or if things get worse so that they can keep an adequate record of your reactions to treatment and help determine the next best thing to do if necessary.

Best wishes.

 

[Bryonyboo]

I am still on Humira. My consultant stopped the Aza as was not sure what was causing my nausea , the Aza or the sepsis from the fistula. After the fistula ops they started me back on it and it made me feel awful so now they're trying mercaptopurine. I have just started to feel better, review next week, wether they will up my dosage !!! I think humira haas little or no effect on me, I think...
Thanks for the help, will check out that website x x