Advice re azathioprine and alcohol please

[Main1234]

Hi

Looking for experiences and research/advice on alcohol and azathioprine please. Partner just completed 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide having been diagnosed with GPA in July this year. He has done very well. GPA affected his lungs recent ct scan showed lungs now clear no other organ involvement (fingers crossed) . Have read drug can cause problems with the liver and alcohol intake needs to be monitored i.e. 14 units.

So my question is do people abstain completely or drink in moderation. We do enjoy a drink in a social setting but are happy obviously to take advice from those of you have been before on this journey.

Thank you

[Webbyj]

Hi. I don’t drink very often but do like s drink if out socially. I will have maybe 2 drinks on those occasions. My consultant said not to go over over the recommended amount. So the answer is drink sensibly ! My view is all the meds are probably more damaging long term that a few glasses of alcohol! Good luck.

[Main1234 in reply to Webbyj]

Good point re meds thanks

[Red-head44]

I have been on Azathioprine for over a year - 150mg, and find any alcohol gives me a headache but will take a glass of wine or vodka and tonic if I choose, but not on a weekly basis. I have never been a regular drinker of alcohol. I have GPA (right lung) too.

[Katie18]

Hi I've been on aziathioprine for about 5 years now. I do find I don't tolerate alcohol as well - sometimes I have just a couple of glasses of wine and feel rough. But normally I feel fine and just drink sensibly within the limiits.

[Main1234]

Thanks Katie that's helpful

[Alanball]

I’ve been on aza for 19 months now and still drink now and then and still have a glass of scotch every night and it’s not affected me in any way but everybody is different. I would advice speaking to your consultant.

Hope he does ok and is in as good health as can be.

Regards

Alan

[Hidden]

Hi I was on azathiprine from November 2004 to recently. When I first went on it I spoke to a pharmacist and he said it was ok but in moderation I have been drinking in moderation and have felt fine . My blood results have been fine too. It's always nice to be able to have the odd drink in social situations ! Everyone is different so it can be a bit trial and error .

[Peddy1968]

Hi, i have Wegeners GPA and after 6 doses of chemo im now on about 40 tablets a day with some that say no alcohol. When i asked my consultant like others have said the odd drunk now and again wont hurt.

The most i have had is 3 pints at an afternoon social event and then worried about it.

With my quality of life now i am not cutting out a drink as well.

Good health.

[ReidyWG]

Moderate, liver function has been stable.

It's easy to see how it could very quickly become a crutch though, so many difficulties are faced.

[Balderick]

I go to watch rugby every fortnight and it’s fair to say I drink a fair amount on that only day. I can’t soeak for anyone else but I suppose it is bi he drinking and should be avoided. I don’t take the azathioprine on that day but am aware that it is very much already in my system. To my surprise, other than low white blood cell count on one occasion, my liver tests have been good. I do not drink at all otherwise but I was told that having a couple of pints would t harm by my GP

[Wordsley]

My husband is on 175mg of azathiprine and 35mg of steroids he was told to keep off drink completely it looks like it depends on your consultant and what they say.

[Main1234 in reply to Wordsley]

Yes it does . He has reduced his alcohol units and he does feel beer makes him unwell! Butbok on small amounts of red wine .