Posts In: Immunosuppressant

Methotrexate WILL I HAVE ONGOING CHECKS WHILE I AM ON IT? You will need to have regular blood counts and liver tests while you are on methotrexate to check that the treatment is not affecting your blood or liver. A typical approach may be to have blood tests every 1-2…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine WILL I HAVE ONGOING CHECKS WHILE I AM ON IT? You should have regular blood tests for the whole time you are taking azathioprine or mercaptopurine. You will need full blood count (FBC), and liver function tests (LFT), measuring levels of liver enzymes. Both tests…

Methotrexate WILL I USE ANY OTHER DRUGS ALONGSIDE IT? Some medicines interact with methotrexate and could cause unexpected side effects. Always tell your doctor that you are on methotrexate when they are planning to give you any other medication. It is particularly important that you avoid a group of antibiotics called…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine WILL I USE ANY OTHER DRUGS ALONGSIDE IT? Azathioprine is sometimes given in combination with biological drugs such as infliximab and adalimumab – this is called ‘combination therapy’. Studies in people with CD and UC have found taking combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine can be more effective…

Methotrexate WILL I NEED TO TAKE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS WHILE BEING TREATED WITH IT? Try to avoid close contact with people with infections. Methotrexate affects the way the body’s immune system works, which can make you more prone to infections. Even a mild infection, such as a cold or sore throat,…

Methotrexate WHAT CHECKS WILL I NEED BEFORE I START IT? Before you start treatment you will need to have blood tests, including liver and kidney tests, as methotrexate can affect the blood count and sometimes cause liver problems. Your doctor may also request a chest x-ray, lung function tests, or liver…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine WHAT CHECKS WILL I NEED BEFORE I START IT? You should have levels of the enzyme thiopurine methyl transferase (TPMT) measured in your blood. This test can help to predict who is more likely to experience side effects with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, such as suppressed…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine WILL I NEED TO TAKE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS WHILE BEING TREATED WITH IT? Try to avoid close contact with people who have chickenpox infections. Azathioprine and mercaptopurine affect the way your immune system functions, which can make you more prone to infections. Also, even mild infections, such…

Methotrexate HOW LONG I WILL BE ON IT? If you respond well to methotrexate you will usually remain on it for many months and perhaps several years, providing your blood tests are satisfactory. References…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine HOW LONG I WILL BE ON IT? If you respond well to azathioprine or mercaptopurine, you should be able to keep taking it for some years, provided the results of your monitoring blood tests are satisfactory and you do not develop any serious adverse reactions. Research suggests that…