Azathioprine now doubled

[Hesta]

Just increased dose from 50mgs to 100mgs on Sat. Feel so sick and really bad headaches!!! Xx

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Hesta,

What does the patient information leaflet say about these side effects? Does it recommend that you contact your doctor? It may be worth contacting them anyway because they may be able to advise whether they expect them to go away, or perhaps try increasing your dose more slowly (if that is possible). 

[littleeffie]

Hi Hesta ,did you have these symptoms when you started on them?

I get awful headaches and nausea for around ten days to two weeks each time from first starting to each dose increase of Azathioprene (Imuran).

As Paul said best to check with prescriber but thought i would let you know you're not alone with those side effects.

Hope all settles and works well for you

[Hidden in reply to littleeffie]

Aprox one in 300 has a nasty pancreatic response to Aza and I was one such. So if you get any flank pain or tummy ache please don't delay in seeing your doctor. I know from hard experience that not all doctors are aware of this - mine was mistaken twice for UTI sepsis and Cholecystitis before they finally twigged during my second hospital admission. It started with some flank pain, nausea and sudden vomiting. I'm sure this won't apply to you and it's just a dosage increase but just to alert you just in case. 

[MargaretGail]

I have to split my dosage between morning and evening to avoid the side effects

[gogspr]

I was on Aza for about 4 months in total. First 10 weeks were fine but then I started to feel sick about two hours after taking my morning dose, this became worse as the weeks passed until I would be physically sick and feel quite poorly.  I was immediately taken off Aza and put on Mycophenolate - 18 months on and no problems at all with Myco.

[Dancingc21]

I've been having headaches for the last 2 weeks which I think could coincide with me upping my dosage of azathioprine. Today is my first headache free day...although I'm due to up my dosage again tomorrow so I guess they might be back?!

[Cal66]

Hi

When I was on Azathioprine, the same dosage as you  I didn't have any of the side effects that you are     having. However, every time I was on them they used to make my white blood count very low & caused me to have a raised liver count. I was off them more than on them, which was very disappointing as I found them to be a help with my lupus, I hope that the symptoms from the Azathioprine  settle down soon & after about 6-8 weeks you should be able to feel the tablets working.