Azathioprine and Pancreatitis: What Users Say

• PEW...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 16, 2024

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "I have been on azathioprine for 5 years with success in keeping the autoimmune hepatitis under control, but was sick at my stomach for years. I followed up with a GI doctor for my stomach issues. The NP checked my pancreas and found the lipase elevated. I found out that I had pancreatitis due to this medication. My doctor had not been checking my lipase/amylase for the 5 years I was on this medication. I wish I had known this so I could have advocated for myself to have my pancreas watched while on this medication."

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

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 pancreatitis. I had to spend 3 days on an IV drip in the hospital and an all-liquid diet for a week after."

• Jod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2021

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 it's rare, it'll probably happen to me, lol, and 2 weeks to the day, it did!"

• Dav...
• October 2, 2016

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

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

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "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 abscesses and a fistula, which left me in the 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 has pancreatitis. The only issue I got was from not taking it, so guys look after yourselves, take azathioprine, and beat Crohn's."

• amb...
• January 29, 2016

Azathioprine for Crohn's Disease "Took Imuran for several months. Not only did it NOT help my Crohn's disease, I developed pancreatitis and was hospitalized for three days."

• Joh...
• June 16, 2016

Azathioprine for Ulcerative Colitis "As a UC sufferer, azathioprine caused pancreatitis after three months - I had to stop using it immediately."