Azathioprine and Weakness: What Users Say

• TEP...
• August 27, 2009

Azathioprine for Myasthenia Gravis "I have been on Imuran for 6 months and find it very helpful for my ocular symptoms and moderately helpful for my generalized myasthenia gravis symptoms (fatigue and weakness). So far, normal hemograms, hepatic function tests, and renal/chem-7 results."

• MI ...
• February 18, 2016

Azathioprine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "The first two to three weeks were fine. Then I started experiencing a bad headache, the next two days fever and chills. The next evening, severe chills, weakness, dizziness, raging fever (up to 104.3), and began throwing up. It was the worst I've ever felt in my life (and that includes a hospitalization in ICU when first diagnosed). I was on the verge of calling 911. However, it eventually passed (as the medicine worked its way out of my system) and the fever subsided. My rheumatologist ran a complete series of blood work and she said that I had an allergic reaction. Prior to starting Imuran, I had been tested for liver compatibility and the results showed that I would have no issues, so I proceeded. Proceed with extreme caution."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2013

Azathioprine for Ulcerative Colitis "Imuran seemed to help for a few months, but after prolonged use, it weakened my immune system too much. I started getting colds about every three weeks, which made me feel run down and tired more so than just having colitis alone, but it did at least calm my symptoms for a while."

• No...
• November 9, 2016

Azathioprine for Ulcerative Colitis "Have been on Imuran for 6 years, and it has helped some off and on. In the beginning, I went to the bathroom about 10 to 12 times a day, thus losing a lot of weight, which I didn't expect. Now I go about 3 to 4 times a day, and I do have a flare-up every now and then. Was finally weaned off of prednisone. Have gained some weight back. Overall, the medication has helped, though my immune system has been weakened."

• But...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2017

Azathioprine for Lupus "At the 2-week mark on Imuran 50 mg TID, I developed a high temp, severe muscle aches, chilling, and started coughing up green mucus. I also had severe weakness. Went to MD and put on antibiotics. Called rheumy, and I was taken off the med. CBC and CMP lab was normal."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2009

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."

• TPa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 2, 2019

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Have been 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 Crohn's years ago, they wouldn't believe it. At first, I was taking 200 mg once a day (1 mg per lb), felt like rubbish, no energy,...weak. Doctor told me 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."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

Azathioprine for Lupus "I took it for a month. The first week it made me nauseous, which I just took promethazine to help with, but it didn't take the feeling completely away. I wasn't really eating, 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."

• 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."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2022

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "My gastrointestinal doctor put me on this medication for my Crohn's. After taking this medication, I was taken off by Dr. who believed I was having an allergic reaction. Made me feel very weak, trouble breathing, sick to my stomach, cold, and fast heartbeat."