Sun and Azathioprine

[rob101]

Hi , I have just been prescribed Azathioprine and after reading about the side effects, feel pretty freaked out about it ,especially as I work outside as a landscape gardener . I am worried about the side effects causing skin cancer ,Does anybody else work outside and if so how do you manage ?, Have you noticed that you burn more and do you apply sunscreen in the winter ? Or am worrying over nothing !

Thanks

 

[jamiehodge]

I am aza too and on my bottle it doesn't say anything about sun. I have been on it for about 3 years and have had no concerns. I don't burn more or find the sun bothers me at all.. but that could just be me.. good luck!!!

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Rob,

Both of my kids are on Azathioprine and photosensitvity is listed as a side effect. Being in Oz the sun is always an issue but they don't do anything out of the ordinary sun precautions and it doesn't seem to have an adverse effect.

If you are concerned you could always follow the standard sun precautions of sunscreen, broad brimmed hat, long sleeves and sun glasses. My son is a school student but spends a fair bit of time outdoors in winter anyway. He does apply sunscreen in winter here if it is sunny and he intends to be outside most of the day.

Dusty. xxx

 

[rob101]

Thanks Dusty ,thats reassured me not to worry too much about it, sometimes reading the side effects is the worst thing you can do puts the fear of god into you .

 

[dodie74]

hey rob, i was also worried about the sun as my wee boys ibd nurse said that we have to be carefully in the sun and not to get him burnt at all. my son is on 6mp ( think same family as aza). i just cover him in sunscreen and be extra careful. i know what u mean about the worry wen u read all the side effects, i had myself in tears reading about it but his ibd nurse said the benefits outweigh the risks. hope you are doing well. xx

 

[rob101]

cheers for the reply Dodie ,its typical that as just as i start my medication we have a heat wave and have the hotest day since 1895 ! Hope that your son is doing well too.

 

[InkyStinky]

Hey Rob! Hopefully I'm not the jinx here, but... I've been on 6mp long term since I was a kid, except for a three year remission a few years back. Anyway, in my teens/early 20s I would get a horrible rash from the sun - bright red blochly - and my dermatologist was pretty sure it was from the 6mp. So I had to wear pants/sunblocking long sleeve shirts outside. After I started the 6mp again in '09 I got the rash again after being in the sun, but not as bad. But then it stopped - I haven't had it for months.

Anyway, just a heads up - hope this doesn't happen to you, but if it does there are some lines of clothing specifically for sunblocking protection that help.

Also - and I think this is true for the aza, too - I was told that for the 6mp, the side effects are much more common is the high doses used for other treatments (chemo, organ transplants, etc). The doses used for IBD are "low" in comparison, and therefore the side effects usually aren't as bad. Hope this holds true for you!

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I got a terrible sunburn when I was on it. I am sure side effects vary from person to person, but I would protect my skin for sure if I were you.

 

[rob101]

Thanks for all the reply's will be investing in some high factor sunscreen and a hat, should bring an end to the Indian summer we are having .

 

[cosmic dave]

Ive joined the site because to ask this question, I dont want to alarm you but be careful I have used aza for four years now and if I spend more than half an hour in the sun I itch for 5 days ! at first it was my legs, but now my arms dont like the sun either.
My doctor does not want me to stop using it but I love the outdoor life (when possible in the UK lol) so I am going to come off it next summer, hope this is some help.
ps. I take 150mg evey day.

David

 

[rob101]

Hi David,
thanks for the reply do you get the rash when you use sunscreen as well ? and was it on a very hot day that your rash appears ? Sorry for all the questions but I have only just started taking it was hoping sunscreen would be enough !

 

[StarGirrrrl]

I'm not on any meds but I get an itchy rash in the summer like you have all described. I find a simple anti-histamine works wonders (I went to the GP about this rash, they didn't have a clue and prescribed those to try). It might be of some use to someone here?

Do check any possible drug interactions though if you decide to give it a try.

 

[cosmic dave]

Hi David,
thanks for the reply do you get the rash when you use sunscreen as well ? and was it on a very hot day that your rash appears ? Sorry for all the questions but I have only just started taking it was hoping sunscreen would be enough !

Im quite dark so didnt ever bother with sun cream but since I have been on aza I have always had itchy legs (didnt suffer before aza) with the sun, went fishing last weekend and sat in the sun and had itchy arms for 5 days after ! sun creams do stop it but do you really want to bother with that every time your out in the sun for half an hour ? It might not effect you tho and aza does seem work on the crohns :thumright:
I would give it a try but tell the doc if you get these side effects you want to come off it.
hope this helps

cheers

David

 

[Livvylou99]

I also have just started aza, and was warned by my specialist that as I was going to Bali for a holiday to be extra careful in the sun because of the side effects. I found that i didn't burn any easier but I kept getting a blotchy, red, itchy rash!

 

[cosmic dave]

Does it last long ? mine lasts exactly 5 days and drives me mad ! it must be a mare living in oz on aza , I am now looking for a alternative med.

David

 

[rob101]

I work outside so its going to be a real pain in the arse to keep applying sun cream all the time but i guess needs must still looking for a sombrero or maybe a burka might do the trick.

 

[cosmic dave]

LOl, or maybe you could walk round with a parasol, you might not get the itch you never know...

 

[Grant]

Whilst being on Azathioprine I started getting a lot of problems with my skin. I've had two Carcinoma's removed from the bridge of my nose & corner of my mouth & still have ongoing solar keratosis problems that are managed by using Efudix cream.
Basically use sun block with a high rating & if you are thinning on top wear a hat when out during the day. Areas @ risk are shoulders, ears, nose &lower lip areas. In short any area that points upwards.
Just take precautions & you should be ok.
Rgds
Grant