This is an automatically translated article.
Article written by MSc Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
Imuran is an oral medication that can help you manage symptoms of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, including stomach pain and cramping, diarrhea, and bloody stools.
1. How does Imuran work?
According to recent clinical guidelines, the preferred treatments for remission in people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis include:
Corticosteroids Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy (Corticosteroid therapy) anti-TNF) with the biologic drugs adalimumab, golimumab or infliximab Vedolizumab - Another biologic drug Tofacitinib - An oral medication Doctors often prescribe Imuran to people who have tried other medications, such as corticosteroids and aminosalicylate , did not help relieve their symptoms.
Imuran is the brand name version of the generic drug azathioprine. It belongs to a group of drugs known as immunosuppressants. It works by reducing the response of your immune system.
This effect will:
Reduce inflammation Control your symptoms Reduce your risk of flare-ups Imuran can be used together with infliximab (Remicade, Inflectra) to induce remission or alone to maintain remission . However, these are off-label uses of Imuran. Imuran has been shown to reduce the need for corticosteroids commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis. This can be beneficial, as corticosteroids can cause more side effects when used for a long time.
Dosage
For people with ulcerative colitis, the typical dose of azathioprine is 1.5–2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). Imuran is only available as a 50 mg tablet.
Thuốc Imuran có tác dụng điều trị bệnh viêm loét dạ dày
2. Side effects of Imuran
Imuran can also cause serious side effects. While taking the medication, you should see your doctor regularly so that you can closely monitor side effects.
Milder side effects of Imuran may include nausea and vomiting. The more serious side effects of this drug are:
2.1 Increased risk of certain types of cancer
Long-term use of Imuran may increase the risk of skin cancer and lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer that affects your immune cells.
2.2 Increased infection
Imuran reduces the activity of your immune system. This means that your immune system may not be working as well to fight the infection.
Hệ miễn dịch có thể bị suy yếu khi dùng thuốc Imuran
2.3 Allergies
Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually occur during the first few weeks of treatment. These include:
Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Rash Fever Fatigue Muscle aches Dizziness If you have these symptoms contact your doctor immediately.
2.4 Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, or pancreatitis, is a rare side effect of Imuran. If you have symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or oily stools, call your doctor right away.
Viêm tụy là một tác dụng phụ nghiêm trọng của thuốc Imuran
3. Alerts and interactions
Imuran may interact with the following drugs:
Aminosalicylates, such as mesalamine (Canasa, Lialda, Pentasa), which are often prescribed for people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis Warfarin blood thinners (Coumadin, Jantoven) An ACE inhibitor, used to treat high blood pressure Allpurinol (Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric), which can be used for conditions like gout Ribavirin - a medicine that treats hepatitis C Co -trimoxazole (Bactrim) - an antibiotic If you are currently taking one of these medicines, your doctor may ask you to stop using it before you start taking Imuran. Or, your doctor may also recommend a smaller dose of Imuran for you than your usual dose of Imuran. Smaller doses will help minimize drug interactions.
Thuốc Imuran có thể gây ra một số tác dụng phụ nếu sử dụng đồng thời với thuốc Coumadin
4. Talk to your doctor
Your doctor may recommend Imuran if medicines such as aminosalicylates and corticosteroids are not working to control your ulcerative colitis symptoms. It can help reduce flare-ups and help you manage your symptoms.
Imuran comes with a risk of serious side effects, including an increased risk of cancer and infections. However, taking Imuran can also help you avoid the serious side effects associated with long-term corticosteroid use.
Talk to your doctor to determine if Imuran is a good choice for you.
All the above information is for reference only. You should consult your doctor before deciding to use any medication.
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References:
Azathioprine — azathioprine tablet. (2019). dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=59f3219f-898f-4d05-a430-c2b3f5255af1 Goel RM, et al. (2015). Optimizing the use of thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease. DOI: 10.1177/2040622315579063 Immunomodulators [Fact sheet]. (2018). crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/pdfs/immunomodulators.pdf Imuran® (azathioprine). (2018). accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/016324s039lbl.pdf Imuran — azathioprine tablet. (2014). dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=aaa6c540-4c84-48a0-939c-cd423134fa2a Rubin DT, et al. (2019). ACG Clinical Guideline: Ulcerative colitis in adults. journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2019/0300/ACG_Clinical_Guideline__Ulcerative_Colitis_in.10.aspx Timmer A, et al. (2016). Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000478.pub4
