Posts In: Patients & Families

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine DO THEY AFFECT FERTILITY AND PREGNANCY? Tell your doctor if you are thinking of becoming pregnant or find you are pregnant, and either you or your partner are taking azathioprine or mercaptopurine. Manufacturers’ guidelines state azathioprine and mercaptopurine should not be given to patients who are pregnant or…

Steroids HOW EFFECTIVE ARE STEROIDS IN IBD? Treatment for IBD has two main goals – to lessen the symptoms of active disease or a flare-up, and to maintain remission (a period of time where you have no symptoms and feel well). Studies show that steroids help to control both…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine DOES TAKING THIOPURINES INCREASE THE RISK OF CANCER? People with IBD treated with thiopurines are at increased risk of cancer due to the drugs making the body’s tissues more susceptible and reducing the number of immune cells available to fight cancer. Studies suggest the overall risk of cancer for people…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT? A number of studies show thiopurines help maintain remission in both CD and UC. Research into CD has shown that azathioprine and mercaptopurine can also help bring on remission in active CD, help maintain this remission, and support steroid reduction. Some studies have suggested…

Steroids DO STEROIDS AFFECT FERTILITY AND PREGNANCY? Tell your doctor if you are thinking of becoming pregnant or find you are pregnant, and you are taking steroids. Because they are effective treatment, many experts now feel steroids can be taken during pregnancy as there may be a greater…

Adalimumab HUMIRA® HOW DO I TAKE ADALIMUMAB? Adalimumab is given as a subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin). It cannot be taken orally (in tablet form), because your digestive system would destroy it. Your adalimumab treatment will be supervised by a specialist doctor experienced in the diagnosis and treatment…

Infliximab REMICADE® HOW DO I TAKE INFLIXIMAB? Infliximab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion – that is, through a drip into a vein in your arm. It cannot be given as tablets because your digestive system would destroy it. Infliximab infusions are usually given in hospital by a trained…

Methotrexate HOW DO I TAKE METHOTREXATE? Methotrexate is taken as a single ONCE A WEEK dose on the same day each week. It can be taken in two different ways – either by tablets or by injection. Sometimes people start off on the injection form, before moving to oral tablets.

Steroids HOW ARE STEROIDS TAKEN? There are several different types and formulations of steroids allowing these drugs to be taken in a variety of ways. The choice depends on the location of your IBD and severity of symptoms. Most commonly steroids are taken as tablets by mouth (orally).

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine HOW DO I TAKE IT? Both azathioprine and mercaptopurine come in tablet form and are usually taken once a day. The way tablets need to be taken varies according to the drug and its formulation, making it important to take the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.