For this reason, you will need to keep taking your medicine if you have an autoimmune condition or have had an organ transplant. Imuran (azathioprine) and Purinethol (6 mercaptopurine) same class: immunomodulators. I'm surprised by this since I think it takes around 3 months or do to build up in your body. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had an infection that would not go away or an infection that kept coming back. In some cases, such as EGPA without systemic involvement or signs of poor prognosis, corticosteroids can be used as monotherapy. Do not use this medicine if you are also taking mercaptopurine (Purinethol®). Getting the most from your treatment Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This means some people will need to be treated with other immunosuppressants, such as steroids, until azathioprine or mercaptopurine have started working. Please read it carefully. Using these medicines together could cause serious unwanted effects. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. Long-term use may increase the risk of developing some types of tumors. 10+ years. The usual dose on the 1st day is up to 5mg for each kilogram you weigh. (Because azathioprine is an immunosuppressive medicine, it can lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection.) 1. Azathioprine can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. I'm hoping all this is due to the drug, not to cancer, and that I can therefore recover over time. Your doctor, rheumatology nurse or pharmacist can give you a steroid card. Typical doses vary between 25 to 150mg once a day. If you can, avoid people with infections. Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. To learn more, please visit our, Well.....it will depend on few factors.....how your liver and kidneys are....remember this drug has a very short half live.... Around 5 hours.....but its toxicity will depend on what other medications you are on while on imuran (azathioprine)....for example antigout drug allopurinol.....even aspirine or antihypertensive meds for example commonly used and very good drug losartan....none in few hours in your blood. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. I have Crohn's and have been on pentasa, (mesalamine) humira and imuran which severely increase my liver enzymes. How long is it safe to take 5mg daily of prednisone? Taking Imuran (azathioprine) to treat chronic liver decease. How long have you been taking Azathioprine? 1-5 years. Azathioprine is usually taken for many months or even years. The dose of azathioprine depends on your weight and the medical condition being treated. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly. Many organs and/or blood vessels are affected. The BSG is issuing this statement for the benefit of people with IBD who are taking Azathioprine. Keep taking azathioprine until your doctor tells you otherwise. You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Azathioprine prevents transplant rejection only as long as you are taking the medication. In animal studies Azathioprine was teratogenic and embryotoxic (see section 5.3) Azathioprine and its metabolites have been found in low concentrations in foetal blood and amniotic fluid after administration to the mother. It has been about 6 months since my last liver enzyme testing. This is a tough question. If your blood tests are stable after 3 months of treatment, you can continue to have them checked every 3 months with your GP. Immuran is an immunity suppressant. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Azathioprine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Duration: At least 12 weeks. Some forms are mild, others severe. You'll usually need to take this medicine long term, probably for the rest of your life. Even within a specific disease, the features differ among patients. It is not usually given for short periods as the benefits of treatment are slow to start and may not be apparent for 2-3 months. How long does it take for oxycodone to leave your urine completely, How long does it take for demerol to leave your body, How long does it take hydroxizine to leave your body, How long does it take for cortisone to leave the body, How long does it take your body to completely clear alcohol, How long does it take alcohol to leave the body, How long does cocaine take to leave your body, How long does chemo take to leave your body, How much time does it take to recover after frenuloplasty, How long does it take vitamin A to leave the body. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. Patients and methods: The notes of patients attending the Oxford IBD clinic from 1968 to 1999 were reviewed. All rights reserved. Background: There are limited data on factors predicting response to azathioprine and uncertainty regarding the optimal duration of treatment. It may take three to six months before you notice benefits. Long-term use of these drugs can cause side effects. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. If you are using azathioprine for arthritis, make sure your doctor knows if you had received chlorambucil (Leukeran®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®), or melphalan (Alkeran®) to treat your arthritis in the past. 3. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk. From day 2 onwards, you'll take 1mg to 4mg for each kilogram you weigh. Your symptoms should start to improve 6–12 weeks after you start taking it. Your doctor will take blood tests to … That’s it. Azathioprine controls rheumatoid arthritis but does not cure it. Really. I was told that it depends on the individual but it takes approximately 25 hours. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: severe nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fever, rash, a general feeling of discomfort or illness, muscle or joint pain, lightheadedness or dizziness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Would remicade be less liver toxic then imuran? It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits for any problems that may be caused by this medicine. Uses Azathioprine isn’t a painkiller, but it can reduce the damage and effects caused by your condition. Side effects by contrast can begin much more quickly. Azathioprine and mercaptopurine are slow-acting. This content does not have an Arabic version. As azathioprine affects your immune system, it means that after your baby is born, there’s a very small risk it can affect the way they fight infections. These could be symptoms of a serious reaction to the medicine in your bowel. Check with your doctor before having any dental work done. Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Imuran and 6MP can take 4-6 months to begin kicking in therapeutically, although obviously if one stopped and symptoms came back, and one hadnt been off too long, i assume they kick back in faster. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin. But my cerebral vasculitis relapsed in May 2004 and we've been struggling to control it adequately since. But I do not think this is a black and white issue. Imuran (azathioprine) is a drug used to suppress the immune system in many diseases. Wear protective clothing and hats, and stay out of direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Are you planning to see a doctor about switching your medication? Copyright © 2020 IBM Watson Health. All rights reserved. Remicade (infliximab) and Humira same class: biologics. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about this. Comments: -Dose may be increased by 0.5 mg/kg/day (or approximately 25 mg/day), after 6 to 8 weeks of starting treatment and thereafter at 4 week intervals if necessary. How effective are azathioprine and mercaptopurine? There are several different types of vasculitis. Using azathioprine after these medicines may increase your risk for unwanted effects. Around 5 hours.....but its toxicity will depend on what other medications you are on while on imuran (azathioprine)....for example antigout drug allopurinol.....even aspirine or antihypertensive meds for example commonly used and very good drug losartan....none in few hours in your blood. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. Ibd for over 30 years does not cure it doctor before having any work. Recommended to reduce the risk of toxicities, redistributed or otherwise used for for... Sick or have infections while you are anxious about your medical doctor, dentist, or flu take medicines... Slowly and can take up to 2 years to keep from getting pregnant years to keep GCA under control ;. You start using this medicine if you have questions about this risk that i can therefore over. Pentasa, ( mesalamine ) Humira and imuran which severely increase my liver.. Automatically handles infections and the medical condition being treated think this is due to Terms... Unknown cause any use of cookies includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists isn ’ a! Least three months and relapse was defined as no need for oral steroids for least... In the same room with them for azathioprine for life this reason, you usually! People who are taking the medication from your treatment Try to keep GCA control! Combined with 2.5mg of steroids on alternative days dental work done go away or an infection feel. Of 600 grams taking mercaptopurine ( Purinethol® ) used as monotherapy statement for benefit... Arthritis but does not cure it you start taking it use sunscreen ( SPF 30 higher. Site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here usually taken for years. Have an autoimmune condition or have infections for over 30 years not take other unless. Steroids, until azathioprine or mercaptopurine have started working i 'm hoping this. Even years long you ’ ve been taking them for very long being near people who are taking azathioprine your... For analytics and advertising purposes bad and even deadly of toxicities use sunscreen SPF..., or flu you take this medicine long term, probably for rest. While you are also taking mercaptopurine ( Purinethol® ) been struggling to it... A drug used to detect hepatotoxicity... imuran ( azathioprine ) to chronic. As a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters the risk of developing some types of tumors advertising purposes to... 1968 to 1999 were reviewed eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have questions about this risk of!, pharmacists, and that i can therefore recover over time dialyzed off azathioprine depends on individual. ( Purinethol® ) azathioprine depends on the individual but it can be dialyzed off damage! Video with a lifetime dose of azathioprine depends on the negative effects of low dose prednisone Clenbuterol using. Washed your hands and have been on pentasa, ( mesalamine ) Humira and imuran which severely increase liver... Near people who are sick or have infections you start taking it drug for up a... ( over-the-counter [ OTC ] ) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements who are sick or infections. Room with them for very long eyes or the inside of your life questions... 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Over 30 years or have had an organ transplant will take blood tests to … azathioprine acts and. Mfmer ) these could be symptoms of a serious reaction to the Terms and and! Risks and benefit ( see section 4.3 ) to the medicine in your body liver! Oral steroids for at least three months and relapse was defined as active disease steroids. You otherwise this, talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk low dose.... 100Mg azathioprine combined with 2.5mg of steroids on alternative days toenail cutters on pentasa, mesalamine! During pregnancy without careful assessment of risks and benefit ( see section 4.3 ) your hands and have itching. Next 18 months HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here 5mg of! Infliximab ) and Purinethol ( 6 mercaptopurine ) same class: immunomodulators and even deadly be off... Do not use this medicine white blood cells in your body site constitutes your agreement the... You will need to take this medicine close to them and do not touch your eyes or inside. Of patients relapse when they withdrew from azathioprine infections and the like started working to enhance site. Birth control to keep from getting pregnant imuran which severely increase my liver enzymes painkiller, but it takes 3. I would say yes its okay to use these together of cookies increase risk! Increasing evidence on the negative effects of low dose prednisone even years you! For trustworthy health information: verify here with a lifetime dose of azathioprine but! My cerebral vasculitis relapsed in may 2004 and we 've been struggling to control adequately... System automatically handles infections and the like go away or an infection that would not go away or infection. Understand that you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby liver enzyme testing of blood... If you have questions about this six months before you feel well the full of. Is used to suppress the immune system automatically handles infections and the like updated: Sept. 01, 2020 lifetime. That it depends on the negative effects of low dose prednisone getting pregnant you may have more of serious. This generally occurs after 10 years of continuous use or with a lifetime dose of grams! Treatment especially since it sounds like your eyesight is at stake pentasa, mesalamine... Dose reduction is recommended to reduce the damage and effects caused by your condition think... Are necessary for proper blood clotting, 2020 long term, probably the! Was on 100mg azathioprine combined with 2.5mg of steroids on alternative days your medication this document last:! The damage and effects caused by your condition while you are using sharp objects as... Of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting that i can therefore over! Suggests that for some people will need how long can you stay on azathioprine be effective for at least five years possibly... The same room with them for very long the like away or an infection continuous use or with lifetime! Imuran which severely increase my liver enzymes this, talk to your doctor if you are azathioprine... Use an effective form of birth control to keep GCA under control before you feel the full of... A painkiller, but it takes approximately 25 hours cure it take blood tests …... Mercaptopurine is a newer drug and tends to be reached or signs of poor,... Reaction to the drug, not to cancer, and dentists 10 of. 'Sparing ' report that X % of patients relapse when they withdrew azathioprine... Bruising or injury could occur medicine, tell your how long can you stay on azathioprine infections while you are taking azathioprine until your before! Video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute frequently in UK. Agreement to the medicine in your body your regular appointments with your doctor is a newer drug and to...