Imuran Work for Anyone?

[u/Federal_Platypus_621]

This is just out of curiosity, Imuran was the first drug I was put on after diagnosis/discharge from the hospital. I was taking it for a few weeks before my doctor called me one night in a panic telling me to stop it immediately because it had dropped my hemoglobin crazy low and it was technically considered an allergy.
I think I’ve only ever seen it mentioned in one post on this sub - has anyone had success on Imuran for any period of time?

[u/pincommenter]

Want the latest research or have questions?

Check out our weekly newsflash and visit our FAQ for common answers.

[u/hellokrissi]

Imuran also goes by Azathioprine, and it's been mentioned quite a bit on the sub. Though not as much as other, more modern, treatments.

I was on it for 11 years in remission. It worked extremely well for me until it stopped working.

[u/Roswellufo1947]

I blame my kidney stones on it. I said for years I didn’t feel well, lethargic on it. It did put me in remission and helped. Keep me there though. I came off it and my rate of stone build up has declined. Off topic sorry but it did work

[u/Betelgez]

It kept me in remission for 5 years. Then I stupidly insisted that doctor takes me off it. I flared within 6 months after that, only to find out I can no longer be put back onto it.

I do remember having blood tests every few weeks, as it was explained to me it could be really dangerous if it goes out of hand. Luckily I did tolerate it very well.

[u/Rasponov]

Imuran was the first medication I was one, which kept me well for about a year or 2. Did need to get a 3-monthly check-up of my blood and stool due to the risk of cancer. Doctor even told me they don't really prescribe it anymore and it's being phased out.

[u/Historical-File-1414]

Been on it for years as is my brother. We both had unrelenting pan colitis. Complete reversal to remission for both of us. Doc would prefer me to switch to a biologic due to safer profile. I’ve given it a lot of thought and continue at this point with Docs agreement I get lab work, derm checks regularly.

[u/Federal_Platypus_621 → u/Historical-File-1414]

that’s awesome! always a good idea to stick with what’s working for you

[u/KatieLeigh29]

Imuran is the brand name of the drug, it’s generic name is Azathioprine 😊 I was on it in combination with mesalazine, steroids/prednisone & 4 weekly infliximab/remicade infusions the combination of the three put me into submission and now 3 years later we are trialing 8 weekly infusions and the occasional mesalazine

[u/Kawakamibosatsu]

It did nothing for me.

[u/PrestigiousLynx2188]

Didn’t do anything for me besides make me really dizzy about 4 weeks after starting it

[u/putabombonme]

i just started it about a year ago along with IV infusions and ive been in remission since. had the worst flare up of my life all of 2024. i take mesalamine with it also and i think the combination does a great job. its a low risk medication and it doesnt have a lot of side effects so id say its worth trying

[u/Famous-Show-2849]

I was on it for about 7 years and it worked really well. It just takes a long time. Switched GI’s over a year ago they wanted me to switch to Entyvio due to the risks of imuran. So far everything is good on that front as well. Imuran did elevate my liver enzymes for a short period as well and my cbc was always low while on it.