Azathioprine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Imuran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2016

Imuran (azathioprine) for Crohn's Disease "Imuran seemed fine for the first couple weeks, until I got a fever of 103 degrees. My doctor instructed me to stop taking the Imuran if my temperature reached 103 degrees, so I stopped for a week or so. My temperature returned to normal, so my doctor instructed me to start Imuran again. After one day's dosage I experienced the worst imaginable pain in my whole torso. It turns out the Imuran gave me Pancriatitis. I had to spend 3 days on an IV drip in the hospital and an all liquid diet for a week after."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2009

Imuran (azathioprine) for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "My doctor has put me on Imuran for about three weeks now and I am starting to feel some side effects such as weakness, body aches and breakouts all over my body. So far not so good with the treatment. I will be calling my doctor for sure."

• Ed2015
• December 20, 2015

For Ulcerative Colitis "My colitis had been in remission for about 10 years without any drugs. 2 years ago it flared and we could not control it with Colazal as we had done last time. I was using prednisone with other meds that did not work. I was bleeding constantly and losing weight. Finally he prescribed azathioprine. It took several months to build up in my system but I am in full remission. I also take azacol HD with it. My daily pill intake is 9. All my blood tests have been normal and we are now slowly reducing usage. As far as side effects go its difficult to identify them vs aging (57). I do have strange joint pain at times but I had multiple sport injuries when I was younger. Cancer runs in my family so I want to get off this asap. I would use it again"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 27, 2020

For Myasthenia Gravis "I've been taking this for eight months and just got out of the hospital where I was diagnosed with pancreatitis , probably caused by this drug. I have had stomach issues and diarrhea the entire time I have been on this"

• JuniE...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 10, 2022

Imuran (azathioprine) for Ulcerative Colitis "I have been taking this drug for 11 years. I was 82 lbs and almost dead from collagenous colitis. I was going to the bathroom 17 times a day. This gave me my life back! I didn’t have any side effects at all. Now. I have lupus. This doesn’t seem to be helping with that. I’m worried what will happen if I have to switch immune surpressants."

• Wables
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 3, 2023

For Myasthenia Gravis "When I could no longer take prednisone with mestinon, I was switched to azathioprine by a doctor specializing in MG and MS in Detroit, Michigan. I was warned from the beginning that it could cause lymphoma. It was difficult to take as it gave me an ill feeling in my stomach. Once I got past that feeling, it did a great job, until 17 years later when I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I'm lucky to be alive today. I have experienced many after effects. I believe there are better medicines available today."

• BKano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started taking this medicine to help with my breathing issues caused by RA. The first thing I notices was a mild headache, joint pain had increased and both hands and feet were swollen, but I was told to give it a couple of weeks to adjust to the medicine. During week 2/3 my breathing got worse and I had a hard time lying on my back without chest pain, I had a stronger headache than in the beginning and it got increasing worse over the weeks, and nausea and stomach craps. This medicine did nothing for me and made me feel worse, so I had to stop. good luck."

• TPano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 2, 2019

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Have using AZA - (azathioprine) for almost 10 years. Going great. No flares, healed me up last 2 colonoscopies over 4 years results were if I wasn't diagnosed with Crohns years ago, they wouldn't believe it. At first was taking 200 mg once a day, (1 mg per lb) felt like rubbish, no energy,...weak. Doctor told be to stick with it, suggested splitting in half 100 mg in the morning, 100 mg in the evening. Worked great after about a month or so."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2012

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Doctor put me on azathioprine because I got sick from taking methotrexate for my rheumatoid arthritis. Good news is it didn't make me sick and I had no noticeable side effects / Bad news is it didn't make pain/stiffness any better than taking nothing at all. Now going to try injectable methotrexate to see if that will work without the nausea/stomach side effects?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2023

For Myasthenia Gravis "Still unsure if it's helping. Inverse titration relationship between azathioprine and high dose prednisone. Now at 20 mg prednisone, 159 mg azathioprine a day. Struggling to breathe, gained weight due to prednisone."

• Brave...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been taking Azathioprine for at least two years, and it has made a world of difference. I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and severe joint pain. This medicine started working within two weeks and if I miss more than 3 days, the pain comes back full force. I've had absolutely no side effects. Highly recommend."

• Don...
• February 25, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Took methotrexate for 7 weeks and had to stop because of extreme fatigue and stomach issues. Doctor started me on azathioprine and I took my first 50 mg. dose about an hour before I went to bed. I refused to take it again! My sinus passages started burning after about an hour of taking it and I developed a headache that last for about 18 hours. I was extremely nauseous when I woke up and felt real lightheaded. Then there were the brutal stomach issues. I'll spare you the details:) Never again!"

• Colin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Have had UC since 1991 and been on Prednisolone and Asacol which became ineffective. Severe attack October 2016 - spent 10 days in hospital. IV steroids and then sent home on reducing steroids - symptoms began to return. Azathioprine prescribed. Certainly helped reduce and eventually stop UC bleeding. Trips to the toilet reduced to around 3 or 4 occasions . Initially caused liver function problems which improved. However the drug has shattered my immune system - have taken any cold, cough or flu that crops up. Makes me fatigued after around 40 minutes exertion. Cannot now play golf, take hill walks or do heavy garden work etc. I guess it is good for some patients and not so good for others. Seeing consultant soon and will discuss options."

• Jody
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2021

Imuran (azathioprine) for Crohn's Disease "I took Imuran many years ago, after 2 weeks on it, it gave me pancreatitis. Five days in the hospital, 4 days with NOTHING BY MOUTH! It was awful! Because I was only on Imuran for two weeks (and it really was so long ago), I don't honestly remember if the medication itself helped my Crohn's. All I know is that my doctor shared with me that the Imuran could cause Pancreatitis, although rare, he wanted me to be aware of the possibility. I even joked with him, I said if its rare it'll probably happen to me, lol, and 2 weeks to the day, it did!"

• B...
• March 31, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Azathioprine was prescribed for my daughter as maintenance treatment for her UC. I can't tell anything about if it was working for her symptoms, because her flare symptoms were controlled by other temporary meds such as Ucerus, Cortifoam before she started taking it.. After 2 weeks she's started having hair loss, very rapid, developed pancytopenia, stopped taking it. This is the long story. I don't want to scare anyone, it's great that this drug helps some people."

• DaveUK
• October 2, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "I was given Azathioprine for about 3 weeks for my Ulcerative colitis. First two weeks were great, start of 3 week I had excruciating pains in my stomach that they initially thought could be Crohn's disease. Caused severe pancreatitis that I meant I was hospitalized for two weeks. Needless to say, never again."

• dawnkp
• August 18, 2015

For Lupus "I've been on Imuran for a year now. and before this nothing worked for my SLE and Rhuematoid arthritis. I also take another drug. But before Imuran I couldn't get shoes on because my legs and ankles were so swollen and my feet. I couldn't dress myself. It was so depressing. I haven't been able to go back to work due to seizure disorder, but this medication has given me back a big part of my life, it feels wonderful to be able to be semi self dependant."

• borde...
• August 3, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis "This medicine seemed to work at first, the negatives ultimately were worse than the positives. It did put me down to about 4 bowel motions a day but it was at the cost of horrendous acne, terrible headaches, joint pain and fatigue. Doctor still has me on it for another autoimmune disease but keeps me at a minimum."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2023

For Crohn's Disease "I was experiencing a persistent bleeding issue and tried a range of medications, including high doses of prednisone. I was prescribed Azathioprine, 1-50 mg twice a day, and Sulfasalazine, 2-500 mg twice a day, which was in the form of easy-to-consume oral medications. Within a month, I noticed that the bleeding stopped, and my diarrhea gradually improved. However, my energy level took almost a year to fully recover. The side effects of the medication included insomnia, mild depression, and a weakened immune system due to Azathioprine. Skipping doses of Azathioprine is not recommended, but occasional forgetfulness shouldn't be a problem. I was advised to get recommended vaccines. Taking Azathioprine with food is recommended to avoid stomach discomfort. Most of my symptoms were a result of my disease rather than the medication. I have been in control of my condition for 11 years now and attribute my recovery to dietary changes and taking a good liquid multivitamin. About five years later, after a colonoscopy, a new gastroenterologist told me that I no longer had Crohn's, but he did not have access to my previous diagnostic images."

• Nicole
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

Imuran (azathioprine) for Lupus "I took it for a month. The first week it made me nauseous which I just took promethazine to help with it but it didn't take the feeling completely away. I wasn't really eating and and the diarrhea started at 2 weeks. By the 4th week I felt horrible!! Headache, weakness, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea from Sunday to Friday. It was then I knew although effective for some and I'd really hoped it would help after seeing so many great reviews but I requested something else."

• Rax
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 27, 2020

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Hello everyone I’ve been on azathioprine for about 8 years (21 years old btw), and I wouldn’t say it’s amazing but really it helps a lot, especially with the humira, I stopped taking my azathioprine due to covid 19 and actually got numerous abscess and a fistula, which left me in hospital for a week and it was the worst feeling, don’t read the side effects as a con, I’ve been on it 8 years and hair loss has not been an issue neither pancreatitis, only issue I got was from not taking it, so guys look after yourself take azathioprine, and beat crohns"

• pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 5, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have spasms which is slowly making me less able to walk. I took azathioprine for 3 years, on 150mg per day(gradual increase), with no side effects, normal blood counts and no feelings of good or bad effects. After 3 years, I think the tablets have slowed my disability decline."

• elpogo
• March 31, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "Have been on Azathioprine for about 4 years after asacol quit working. Started with 4 pills per day for first month then cut back to 2 pills which have worked fine, but I now have been experiencing bruising on my hands mostly. Will cut back to 1 pill per day until my next blood-work."

• Nic
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "I was prescribed azathioprine for my Crohns disease. During the first month of taking this drug, I felt mildly nauseated on taking the tablet and generally unwell. In hindsight, I think this feeling was subtly getting worse over the period to the extent that it became extreme nausea to the point where I had no appetite and after eating a few mouthfuls, I would be sick. I read the side effects of the drug and reported this to my consultant. One evening I became very ill however, vomiting and ultimately collapsing and having a seizure. In hospital they determined that my liver function was severely affected with some residual kidney issues also evident. After a 4 day stay in hospital and 6 weeks at home, the liver function returned. Diagnosis was toxic hepatitis caused as a side effect of this drug. I have never had any allergic reaction to anything, this drug did not suit me."

• Vende...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2022

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I lost all my hair, my bone marrow was suppressed to high heaven and it gave me acid reflux so I can’t even eat properly. This drug has made the last 2 weeks of my life a living nightmare. I’m on the road to recovery now, but it’s gonna take a week or two before I start feeling normal again. Screw this medicine."