Imuran: Holding Off / Long Term Usage

Hey All--

Disclaimer: This is my own experience with UC and with certain medicines and with my doctor. I am not advocating for anything here!

I am going on 2.5 years of Imuran at 175mg every day (I also have Inflectra infusions). My GI recently told me that if patients have been on Imuran for two years and they are currently stable, to consider "holding" Imuran (as in not taking it), as its possible side effects are more likely the longer I use it. She also told me that holding Imuran might be an option for patients in these uncertain times, because going off it should give our immune systems a boost.

If you're on Imuran, how long has it been? Is there protocol you've heard of in terms of how long patients usually stay on it? And has anyone heard from their doctor, in today's pandemic climate, the option to hold off on Imuran for specific cases of patients?

OK just seeing what people's thoughts/experiences are. Thanks!

D

Our gasteroenterologists are a bit more leery of imuran these days due to the small risks of melanoma and lymphomas when used long term for decades. My gasteroenterologist have me a lecture about it, said he recommended I stop it after 2 years, if not I had to sign a waiver saying I'm going against his recommendation. I stopped, flared 6 months later, and had to go back on it.

That was years ago, a different doctor recommended getting off it again. I stopped it again, hope I don't flare again...

Combine the above with the hospitalization rate is higher for those who get corvid19 and are on biologics plus imuran/6mp/azathiopurine. It's another factor to consider. People on only the biologic who get corvid19 tend do do a lot better.