Azathioprine and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Kar...
• February 26, 2020

Azathioprine for Lupus "I was prescribed Imuran for systemic lupus. I took the medicine for about one month. I had a terrible allergic reaction - I was hospitalized for several days. High fever, liver, and joint pain. It is my understanding that Imuran can cause an allergic reaction (it was not a unique reaction to me). I have since learned (from a doctor at the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center) that there is a test to determine if you will tolerate Imuran. The test checks the level/presence of an enzyme necessary for the body to process or tolerate Imuran. I would ask your doctor about the test for Imuran tolerance before starting Imuran - my allergic reaction was very bad. I am not an alarmist, and I understand that Imuran is an effective medicine for many people. However, I wish I had known that a test was available to determine if a patient will tolerate Imuran, as this would have been extremely helpful and I could have avoided a very serious allergic reaction to Imuran."

• jul...
• January 24, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "Been taking it for 7 months. Prior to this, had really bad flares, nothing worked. Steroids wouldn't control. Had UC for 19 years and had spread further up my colon. Was offered azathioprine, so thought, why not? Best thing I have ever done, I have my life back. My regular bloods are all normal. Not taking anything else for UC. Toilet once a day. Have joint pain, but that's a small price to pay. Don't have to worry about being near a toilet."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started on a low dose of Imuran... 50 mg. Was breathing much better after 3 weeks of blood tests, Dr. thought it was okay to increase the dose. Went to 100 mg... a couple weeks later, joint and muscle pain worsened, shortness of breath, just miserable. Dr. said it would take time, needed 6 - 8 weeks for medication to work. Increased dose to 150 mg a week ago. I feel horrible. I have described side effects to Dr. No luck... what to do? I'm very tempted to just stop taking this medication. I feel horrible!"

• Fil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 29, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "I have been taking azathioprine for about 9 years, and 5 years ago began experiencing joint pain, intense itching, and hair loss. My doctor dismisses all these problems as not being related to medication. I'm starting to think that it's time to seek another opinion. Just wondering if anyone else had the same symptoms?"

• sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 28, 2015

Azathioprine for Crohn's Disease "I've been on Imuran for about 9 years now. After trying the medicine Pentasa, where I was taking 4000 mg a day, and it still didn't control my flare-ups. This medicine has its side effects too, but I haven't experienced many other than pain in my joints recently, which is good since I've been taking Imuran for 9 years!"

• Ed2...
• 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, it's difficult to identify them versus aging (57). I do have strange joint pain at times, but I had multiple sports injuries when I was younger. Cancer runs in my family, so I want to get off this asap. I would use it again."

• BKa...
• 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 noticed 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 weeks 2 and 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 increasingly worse over the weeks, along with nausea and stomach cramps. This medicine did nothing for me and made me feel worse, so I had to stop. Good luck."

• bor...
• 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."

• Mrs...
• June 8, 2015

Azathioprine for Crohn's Disease "I have been on this medicine for over a year, and it worked really well at first. Now my hair is thinning, and I'm having joint pain."

• Til...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "I have been taking it for 5 months. It seems to be working for U.C., just having joint pain, which makes it hard to work out some days. Would like to know what would help the joint pain."

• ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 15, 2020

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Azathioprine is no good for me, it caused side effects of muscle and joint pains, and infections."