Do you/have you taken Azathioprine (Imuran)?

[TOBEY32]

My first 3 months have been Cytoxan.
My lung doc had plans of switching (after 6 mos.) from Cy to Aza, but because Aza will cost me MUCH less (no insurance), I was gonna ask her if we could make the switch now.
She wanted the switch partly because Aza side-effects are less, but I'm not so sure. Some of what I've read sounds worse than Cy. Can you tell me anything?

David

[Sangye]

David, unless your Wegs is definitely under control it's not a good idea to switch to a milder drug so soon. Doing so can cause the Wegs to flare a little or a lot and in either case you'd have to go back on ctx to get it under control. That can really prolong your time on it, costing you much more in the long run. You also risk getting more serious Wegs involvement.

As far as side effects, unless someone is allergic to it most people seem to tolerate aza pretty well. It's nowhere near as powerful as ctx, but it is still a chemo drug. Methotrexate is another drug that is as powerful as aza and is very inexpensive.

I feel so bad for you having to make these decisions based on having no insurance. Every day I pray that all people (and animals) everywhere will have unencumbered access to excellent health care.

[Jack]

The switch to Azathioprine must be made on medical grounds alone. I dropped down to aza several times and had to revert back to ctx again to treat flares, but eventually we got it under control with aza and then changed to Myfortic for maintenance. Myfortic is more expensive than either of the others, but does not have such serious side effects.

[vdub]

I had an aza pack (one week of durgs) about a month ago for a lung infection. It knocked it right out. I don't recall any terrible side-effects, but it's difficult to tell with all the drugs I'm on. But, I didn't feel much worse than the new normal....

[pberggren1]

I had an aza pack (one week of durgs) about a month ago for a lung infection. It knocked it right out. I don't recall any terrible side-effects, but it's difficult to tell with all the drugs I'm on. But, I didn't feel much worse than the new normal....

What are you talking about vdub? AZA is Azathioprine or Imuran.

[drz]

What are you talking about vdub? AZA is Azathioprine or Imuran.

There is also an antibiotic that is called an AZA or Z pack that consists of 4 pills that you take for infections and then it works for a a week afterward. It is a stronger antibiotic and used for serious infections. But in this thread I think they are referring to the Imuran or azathioprine and not the antibiotic.

[pberggren1]

Oh, OK. That is what vdub is probably talking about then.

[renidrag]

I tried the Imuram but was allergic to it. Hot...Rash....Cold and the shakes. Wasn't pretty. Went away when I went back to ctx.
Dale

[drz]

It takes a several days to get the results of the test to be sure you have the necessary enzymes to process the Imuran as there are only a few places that do those tests. If you want to take it, try to get this test done ahead of time. My doctor started me on a low dosage of azathioprine while we waited for the enzyme test results. Most people can take it OK but I guess it could be serious if you lack the right enzymes.

[vdub]

Yeap! That's the stuff -- aza antibiotics. Mabye there are too many aza's..... :-)