please let me know what u find out, I want to take this also....and I am very interested in it...good luck hon
Hugz
Morgaine

Thanks Morgaine and I sure will!
Hugs to you!
Michelle

Hi, I did a web surf on this it shows used for Crohns,Rheumotoid Athritis and Kidney transplant..no mention of MS.
But I guess you can try to revise search I did and type" MS Imuran" I am curious about this med.

Anyone else know about this drug?

sunshine I foun this ;)

http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/imuran-therapy

good luck

Hi I did another search using "MS IMURAN" this came up on MS Society page
From The MS Information Sourcebook, produced by the National MS Society.

The literal meaning of the term "chemotherapy" is "to treat with a chemical agent," but the term generally refers to the use of potent cytotoxic (cell-killing) agents that are prescribed for some forms of cancer. These drugs not only kill tumor cells, but can destroy normal cells as well.

The cells that are most vulnerable to cytotoxic agents are those that grow and divide rapidly. Among those affected are cancer cells, hair and intestinal cells, red blood cells, and the white blood cells comprising the immune system.

The rationale for the use of chemotherapy to treat MS stems from the fact that MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease. An abnormal, heightened immune action of certain white blood cells mounts an attack on the myelin of the central nervous system. Destruction of myelinthe fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates nervescauses nerve impulses to be slowed or halted and produces the symptoms of MS. Since administering chemotherapeutic agents diminishes the numbers of white blood cells, it should theoretically slow down or halt this autoimmune destruction.

Approval of Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) by the FDA
On October 13, 2000, following a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the FDA approved the marketing of mitoxantrone (Novantrone) for "reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses in patients with secondary-progressive, progressive-relapsing or worsening relapsing-remitting MS." In addition to being the first drug approved in the U.S. for secondary-progressive MS it offered new treatment options for others experiencing worsening of the disease.

Safety and Side Effects
The short-term safety and tolerability of mitoxantrone were found to be acceptable in the initial trials. Among the more common side effects seen were nausea, hair loss, urinary and upper respiratory tract infections, and menstrual disorders. The longer-term safety of Novantrone in MS is more problematic. Dose-related cardiac toxicity has been reported, primarily in cancer patients. Although no clinically significant cardiac problems were seen in the relatively short MS trials, the FDA recommended that Novantrone be used only by those with normal cardiac function, and for no more than a total cumulative dose of 140mg/m2 ( once every three months at a dose of 12 mg/m2) because of possible cumulative cardiac toxicity.

In May, 2005, the FDA added a "black box warning" to the labeling of Novantrone. Post-marketing reports of adverse events have shown that impaired cardiac function can occur at any time, even early in the treatment. The risk of cardiotoxicity increases with each dose of medication, and congestive heart failure can occur during or after treatment. To address this cardiac risk, the FDA now recommends cardiac monitoring-beginning with a cardiac evaluation prior to the start of treatment and again before each subsequent dose.

In addition to cardiac toxicity, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a type of cancer, has been reported in MS patients and cancer patients treated with Novantrone.

Results of Earlier Trials of Chemotherapeutic Agents
Some of the many chemotherapeutic agents that have been used to treat MS are described below. The results of many clinical trialsstudies to see if a promising drug actually helps people with MShave not conclusively shown them to be of definite value, and their use in treating MS remains controversial.

Azathioprine (Imuran)
The use of azathioprine (Imuran), as a treatment for MS remains controversial. A drug that suppresses the immune system, azathioprine is commonly used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and as part of chemotherapy for some cancers.

Research Results Are Mixed
Over the past 20 years, azathioprine has been, and continues to be, the subject of numerous clinical trials-both in the United States and abroad-to see if it is useful as a treatment for MS. The results-using different patient populations, different doses and different protocols-have been mixed. Some benefit, in the form of slowed progression or fewer relapses, was noted in 60% of the trials. There was no apparent benefit in the other trials.

Side Effects Can Be Severe
Some patients have not been able to take azathioprine because of severe nausea. Other potential side effects of azathioprine include severe anemia or or leukopenia (shortage of white blood cells), liver damage, and a long-term increased risk of developing cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma.

The decision to use azathioprine is a complicated one, and should be made by the physician and the patient together, after a discussion of the potential risks and benefits.

and this website ;)

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3468/suppress.html

WOW THANK YOU both for taking the time to supply all the info!!! Morgaine the WebMD is the one I found. I just searched Imuran for MS to pull up things. I will continue to look through what you both sent. Thanks again!!! Appreciate it bunches!!!

I took Imuran for 8 months and had no benefits from it. I am not a good example because most drugs do not work for me.

Thank you! I talked more to the person and she said her DR gave it to some people that were SPMS. She is going to ask her DR some more about it for me when she goes next week. Just looking at all my options, thanks again to all of you!!
Have a nice evening and take care!