Aziophrine and prednisolone - Hughes Syndrome A...

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Aziophrine and prednisolone

Tim_Thorpe profile image
8 Replies

Are these drugs use to treat sticky blood or lupus or both ???

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Tim_Thorpe
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Yllek profile image
Yllek

Well I only have APS and my consultants have been discussing putting me on azathioprine for a little while.

I have no experience with prednisone though so can’t answer.

Kelly

MaryF profile image
MaryFAdministrator

HI, in a bit of a rush as I fly out of the door, but take a look at this: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Mary F

lupus-support1 profile image
lupus-support1Administrator

The medication that is prescribed by your lupus specialist will ultimately depend on the symptoms you exhibit and whether your body is able to tolerate the drugs.

Prednisone provides relief for inflamed areas of the body. It is used to treat a number of different conditions, such as inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, asthma, blood or bone marrow problems, endocrine problems, eye or vision problems, stomach or bowel problems, lupus, skin conditions, kidney problems, ulcerative colitis, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis. Prednisone is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid). It works on the immune system to help relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.

Corticosteroid drugs — including cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone — are useful in treating many conditions, such as rashes, lupus and asthma. But these drugs also carry a risk of serious side effects. Working with your doctor, you can take steps to reduce these side effects so that the benefits of corticosteroid treatment outweigh the risks.

How do corticosteroids work?

Corticosteroids mimic the effects of hormones your body produces naturally in your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. When prescribed in doses that exceed your body's usual levels, corticosteroids suppress inflammation. This can reduce the signs and symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and asthma.

Corticosteroids also suppress your immune system, which can help control conditions in which your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

How are corticosteroids used?

Corticosteroid drugs are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, allergies and many other conditions. They also treat Addison's disease, a condition where the adrenal glands aren't able to produce even the minimum amount of corticosteroid that the body needs. And these drugs also help suppress the immune system in order to prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients.

Azathioprine

Azathioprine (Imuran) is a drug used in certain autoimmune conditions (diseases where the body’s natural defense system attacks itself). It suppresses the immune system by interfering with DNA synthesis (the creation of DNA molecules). It is used in dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other inflammatory conditions.

Azathioprine is used to prevent rejection of a transplanted kidney. It belongs to the group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. Azathioprine will lower the body's natural immunity in patients who receive transplants to prevent rejection of the new kidney. It is also used to relieve joint pain and swelling for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Azathioprine is also a "steroid-sparing" drug which means not having to be given very high doses of corticosteroids.

You can find more information at the LUpus Message Board: lupus-support.org (you will need to Register to access the main website. Registration is free.)

With good wishes,

Ros

Fra22-57 profile image
Fra22-57

Very good info from Ros lupus-support1 .I take prednisolone for my RA

Sara_A profile image
Sara_A

I think they are more for lupus but I guess aps can give u similar symptoms so the drugs are just used to treat the specific symptoms regardless of which condition u have.

I'm on pred and an immunosuppressant and have lupus and aps I'm on them both for my joints pains which I guess could be caused by either condition but maybe more the lupus????

LindaMorrell profile image
LindaMorrell

Hi. I have been on both. I believed both were to suppress the immune system. but yes they were given for Systemic Lupus at the time. Never a mention with APS. I see the Immunologist this week and have to tell him I did not continue with Plaquinil my eye sight started to falter and my muscles. were spasming. these symptoms have stopped now..... !!! Sad as. lots of specialist seem to think Plaquinil is a great dampening down the immune system. ??? One can. only try. give it a little time and if it doesn't suit. you have to make your own decisions I suppose....

Tim_Thorpe profile image
Tim_Thorpe in reply to LindaMorrell

Thanks for the reply 👍 I’m on hydrocloxaquine as well as aziophrine and now prednisone

Lozzer profile image
Lozzer

Hi, I was diagnosed with APS approx 20 years ago now with a huge DVT in one leg. Some years later I developed another autoimmune problem, hemolytic anemia (red blood cells not being replaced adequately) and was facing a blood transfusion due to the hemoglobin being so low. The specialist instead went for high dose prednisone which worked thankfully.

Interestingly, my father was treated with the 'wonder drug' prednisone for hemolytic anemia also in 1974. Its still a wonder drug but longer term use can result in worrying complications. When aziohioprine is used with steroids as Ros said above, it complements the latter and means that a lot less of the prednisone is required to achieve the same improvement in bloods, therefore fewer side effects.

This worked well with me and I was able to be gradually weaned off of the steroid and then eventually the aziothioprine and have been free of both for nearly three years now and generally in good health....touch wood!