Lupus Support Group

Hi Yolanda. I've been on imuran before and for me it was a very good med. Not many side effects and it did the trick as far as controlling my flare. It's much tamer than cytoxan - no comparison. So if you have to go on an immunosuppresent(sp?), imuran is a good choice as far as my experience has been.

Wishing you good luck.

Dale

I have been taking Imuran for years. Along with 4 mg prednisone and plaquinel.

I found this article and I thought it would answer some questions you have. Hugs Nancy

GENERIC NAME: azathioprine
BRAND NAME: Imuran, Azasan
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant, that is, a drug that is used to suppress the immune system. It is used to treat patients who have undergone kidney transplantation and for diseases in which activity of the immune system is important. Azathioprine is a prodrug (a precursor of a drug) which is converted in the body to its active form called mercaptopurine (Purinethol). The exact mechanism of action of azathioprine is not known.

Like other immunosuppressants, it suppresses the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, types of white blood cells that are part of the immune system and defend the body against both infectious diseases and foreign materials. For example, in the case of organ transplantation, immunosuppressants prevent the body from immunologically rejecting the new organ. In the case of autoimmune diseases (diseases caused by an abnormal immune reaction against the body's own tissues) such as rheumatoid arthritis, suppressing the immune system reduces the inflammation that accompanies immune reactions and slows damage to the joints caused by the inflammation.

Hi Yolanda,

I have been on Imuran for about 8 months now, prior to that I was on Methotrexate. For me the Imuran has been a lifesaver! I also take plaquenil and predinsone. I have little to no side effects myself. In the beginning perhaps I had a bit of nausea, but now I have none. And unlike the Methotrexate I have no issues with exhaustion with Imuran.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised on how good you will feel. Now, that said it did take a good 3 to 4 months for me to see the full benefits of the Imuran.

Best of luck to you, I hope you feel better soon!

Melissa

I take Azathioprine for about 7 months now & at first i threw up a lot so they started me at 25 mg. I got use to that & went to 25mg 2 x's/day & then to 25 in the am & 50 in the pm and started to get sick again, so i went to 50 one day & 75 the next until i got used to that, i am now at 75mg & i am doing OK. The docs want me up to 100mg. So that said i do think it is helping, i am having a few more days where i feel better, but i know i need to get to the full dose of 100mg. Good Luck
Deb

I took Immuran for 6-7 years with no problems.

tracy

Tracy or anyone else who knows this.....

What causes a rheumy to choose MTX over Immuran? I am on MTX, plaquenil and pred. Just curious as to why he would choose MTX instead of Immuran. Is it primarily used for RA?

Any info would be great.
Melissa

I have beenon it for almost 3 months and i have had no side effects...but i also have seen no results but like i said its only been 3 months

I have been taking imuran,but my doctor does monthly liver blood tests. He checks to see if the medicine isn't causing my liver enzymes to go high. It has before so he had to cut the dosage.

I have been on Imuran for the past 9 years. No side effects but it just was not working that good anymore so the doctor added methotrexate.

I was going to post a similar post so I hope Yolanda you don't mind me creeping a question in here, I just didn't want people to have to repeat themselves.
I'm starting on it soon after a blood test "TPMT?" comes back.
I'm told you can't drink on it at all. Is that true? Not that I'm can't, I would just miss my socials:-)