I have been on Azathioprine for two weeks at 50 mg. I have to have labs done every 2 weeks for 6 weeks and then once a month for a year. I was able to take the Azathioprine for the first two weeks with no side effects. My doctor has increased it to 150 mg. a day now. I will go for labs next week. It actually suppresses your immune system. I had to get every shot known to mankind before I started. flu,pneumonia, hepatitis A, tetanus/pertussis, I already had the hepatitis B shot from work. It was explained to me that for some reason my immune system is attacking part of my colon. So, the Azathiopirne should stop it and I will go into remission. I am also finishing up 30 days of Hydro cortisone Rectal suspension. ( Which I hate) I have 10 more to go I feel that I am almost 98% into remission. So, maybe with this increase in dosage it will happen. I know I was scared at first because I thought of the side effects and getting sick with everything I came into contact with. I work subbing at a Junior high a haven for disease. haha Good luck stay positive. :)

I've been on 150mg per day since July. I can't say I've noticed any change. :(

I been on this medication for about 10 years and I have no problems. I am currently taking 150mg daily and I am 28 weeks pregnant. I been in remission for about 6 years now. Good luck

i was on that for some time. i believe it worked and i never had side effects i noticed

azathioprine gave me an amazing 13 years of life and adventure out of 21 living with UC (i now have a j pouch). The few side effects I had went away after a few weeks after my body adjusted. I started at 150mg and eventually got down to only taking 50 mg of that drug and that was it - nothing else. It was great. I wish it had kept working. Make sure you get the blood tests and keep up with those so that they can adjust it for you as you go. good luck!

Thank you for all your comments, helps to alleviate some of the unknowns. Overall sounds very positive. Everyone have a great day.

PLEASE make sure you get your blood work done as often as you are supposed to.. I believe Ford2 said it right at every 2 weeks for 6 weeks and then every month for a year or longer... I too suffered from a severe c.diff infection. Luckily I was only hospitalized for 2.5 days. I had the same reservations with azathioprine as you do.. I kept refusing it and other immunosuppressants for quite some time. Unfortunately there comes a point where you say enough is enough and you give the crazy meds a try. I had blood work done to be sure my body could process the Azathioprine and while being treated for the infection and a severe flare from the infection they started me at 50 mg. After 2 weeks I did fine on 50 mg so the doc bumped me up to 100mg (for my weight the ideal dosage was about 150mg). All along i had severe nausea which was attributed to the flagyl and the flare. After a couple weeks at the 100mg I had blood work done again only to find out that I was experiencing liver damage. The medication became too much for my body to process successfully and I had to be taken off of it immediately. Unfortunately it takes about 2-3 months (i was told) for the medication to really do it's thing so I didn't get to find out if it would have worked for me. Some people have been able to take Azathioprine without any issues, as you have seen, but then there is those of us that can't. As long as you get your blood work done and inform you doc of any concerning side effects you should be fine. I really hope it does work for you!! I know what it's like to be in a long term flare and it's no fun! Best wishes!!

Also, i found this webcast put out by CCFA.org to be extremely helpful and calming..
Go to http://www.ccfa.org
choose "Living with IBD" in the left column
then choose "Webcasts" in the left column under "living with IBD"
you will find so much information here but there is one titled "Balancing the Risks and Benefits of Treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases- 6/9/09" it will be the 5or 6 one down the page. I hope this helps you too!

First u should have the bloodtest to see if you have the necessary enzyme to metabolize it. The dose is weight- based so be sure you're on an appropriate dose. At first I was taking half the appropriate & no surprise, it wasn't effective. But when the dose was doubled to be at my weights requirement (150mg for 120 lbs) symptoms began to disappear within weeks! This drug restored my health, humanity, & sanity! Don't be afraid of lymphoma... The chances are so minute that you are at much greater risk of developing Colin cancer from uncomtrolled IBD. Hope it works just as well for u!

Well that didnt work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately 3% of the people who try Azathioprine have a problem with there Pancreas, guess which group I was in. Put me in the hospital this past weekend for a couple days but now going with a new plan, Remicade. My new silverbullet which I have seen a lot of posts on and researched a bit and overall sounds very positive. Keeping fingers and toes crossed this time and I am very confident, my Nephew has Crohns, he is only 11 years old poor kid, but it put him into remission so I am hoping the same results here. If not then on to the next one. Thank you all for your posts and support. Heres to a new day and a new plan and most of all hope! Charlie

I like your positive attitude with all of the medication trials that you have to go throught. But it is worth it to find a medication that will work and hopefully get you into remission. Good luck.. Hope this one works for you!

I take 75 mg daily with no problems except a rash on my face if I sit in the sun without sunscreen. Do your bloodwork and hopefully you will achieve remission. Good luck, when used properly under supervision this is a great drug.

woops! guess my 1st comment was a bit late. Good luck with the Remi & keep us posted. Sorry about the Aza adverse reaction :( Oh the joys of IBD treatments! Hang in there