Is Imuran safe long term?

Is Imuran safe long term?

As regards to efficacy and their maintenance over time, evidence supports the continuous usefulness of the drug in the long term: in fact its withdrawal very substantially increases the risk of relapse. About side effects, azathioprine is a relatively well tolerated drug and even indefinite use seems safe.

Is Imuran a high risk medication?

Imuran may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young men with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma.

What does Imuran do to the body?

It works by suppressing the blood cells that cause inflammation. Azathioprine is used to reduce signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint swelling, pain, tiredness, and duration of morning stiffness. Azathioprine is commonly known by the brand name Imuran®.

Can Imuran cause liver damage?

When there’s no more glutathione left in your liver, both alcohol and Imuran can damage liver cells, which can lead to serious health problems. One case, published in 2007 , found that binge-drinking led to dangerous liver damage in a person with Crohn’s disease who was taking Imuran.

Is Imuran a strong immunosuppressant?

Imuran is an anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive that can decrease joint damage and disability in people with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions. In addition, Imuran has proven to clearly improve lupus affecting the liver and kidneys.

Can you take Prednisone and Imuran at the same time?

No interactions were found between Imuran and prednisone. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Is 50 mg of azathioprine a lot?

The usual dose is 150-200 mg a day but the dose can vary depending on your weight and tolerance of the medication. Start with one 50 mg tablet daily usually in the morning with a meal. After one week, you should have your blood drawn.

Can you drink wine while taking Imuran?

Alcohol can increase your risk of side effects from Imuran. That’s because drinking too much alcohol can have some of the same negative effects on your body, such as causing pancreatitis. Another possible side effect is liver damage.

Should Imuran be taken with food?

Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Azathioprine is best taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 3 hours after food or milk. But if azathioprine makes you feel nauseous (sick), try taking it after food or at bedtime, or ask your doctor if you can divide your dose and take it twice a day.

Does Imuran cause hair loss?

IBD tends to be well controlled with drugs like infliximab (Remicade), methotrexate (Otrexup, Xatmep, Trexall, and Rasuvo), and azathioprine (Imuran), he adds. All of these have potential hair loss as a side effect. This could be because these drugs are designed to slow down cell multiplication.