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How much easier are flares on azathioprine or equivalent?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/17/2017 6:57 AM (GMT -5)
Hi everyone,

I noticed a post from earlier saying that once on azathioprine flares are less frequent and less severe.

I know this will vary, but I would be grateful for your experiences on how much it improved things. Do flares tend to be mild if the medication is a good match?

Thank you and happy Easter.
Posted 4/17/2017 7:05 AM (GMT -5)
There is no way to tell, each flare is different. Part of the thinking is that there is a med already in your body, so dosage adjustments react much quicker than starting from 0 mgs which can take up to 6 months. Or you add a biological ontop of the immunosuppressant.

Some people's first flares are the worst because they have no meds in their body, that was my case.
Posted 4/17/2017 7:36 AM (GMT -5)
"I noticed a post from earlier saying that once on azathioprine flares are less frequent and less severe."

If your Ulcerative Colitis is well managed through an appropriate treatment plan and you achieve a deep remission then you will have the best odds of longer remissions, less frequent and less severe flares. It doesn't matter what medication or combination of them achieve that goal, for some it's azathioprine and for others it could be mesalamine and/or a biologics.

The goal is to get UC into a remission that is histological/deep/quiescent, at which point it can stay there for 2, 5, 8 or more years between flares. There's no magic-bullet treatment that's better than the rest. Just a whole lot of options (many tools in our UC treatment toolbox) and each of us hopes we find that combination as quick as possible. However, there is always a great deal of trial and error (and with that frustration) while looking for it. There's as many solutions as there are UC patients, no one size fits all, and no instant gratification.
Posted 4/24/2017 3:24 PM (GMT -5)
Like iPoop said, every person is different. Something that works for someone may have no affect on someone else. Can't stress that enough. With that said, I was prescribed aza after my last flair when my GI thought the Lialda wasn't enough. I've been on it pred free for a few months now. Things are good aside from occasional nausea when I take my meds. Definitely hope this continues but you can only take it one day at a time. You'll see less success stories on here because once things start going well people tend to not come back asking for help. I try to browse the threads every few weeks.
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