Will Imuran Stop My Cartilage From Destroying Itself?
The photo above is a 50 mg tablet of Imuran. This HypoGal Blog post is about my experience taking Imuran as an off label medication.
But, I want to begin this post by wishing everyone a happy and safe 2021.
The year 2020 felt long and short at the same time. My life and HypoGal Blog went into hibernation. I hope my readers are safe.
As my life expands, I hope the HypoGal Blog will go the same direction.
My life with different medical ologist, (types of doctors) keeps changing and growing.
I have a new Rheumatologist who wants to try to halt my Relapsing Polychondritis with a medication named Imuran.
The following provides information on the Imuran drug;
What Is Imuran?
Imuran belongs to a class of drugs called DMARDs, Immunomodulators, Immunosuppressants.
Imuran is an oral medication used to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. Doctors also prescribe Imuran to treat symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Imuran is used to reduce rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms, such as joint swelling, pain, tiredness, and morning stiffness duration. Imuran is also used to treat other rare medical conditions.
The generic version of Imuran is azathioprine.
How Does Imuran Work?
Imuran works by suppressing the blood cells that cause inflammation. The Imuran drug can lower your immune system and increase your risk of getting infections.
Imuran is used to reduce rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms, such as joint swelling, pain, tiredness, and morning stiffness duration.
How Much Imuran Should You Take?
A doctor usually prescribes Imuran to be taken daily.
The initial dose of Imuran varies by a medical condition. For Rheumatoid Arthritis, a doctor usually prescribes approximately 1.0 mg/kg (50 to 100 mg) given as a single dose or on a twice-daily schedule.
Your doctor may increase the dosage of Imuran, beginning at 6 to 8 weeks. An increase of Imuran may be taken after that by steps at 4-week intervals if there are no severe toxicities.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
How Is Imuran Monitored?
A doctor prescribes blood work every 4-8 weeks to monitor your blood counts.
Your blood tests will confirm if you are safely using Imuran.
Is Imuran An Expensive Medication?
Below is a chart from GoodRX that provides the different costs of Imuran using their prescription card.
A GoodRx prescription card is free.
For a small monthly fee, you can upgrade to GoodRx Gold Card program.
I am happy to report that a week into taking Imuran that I feel better than my average baseline.
Fingers crossed, Imuran will continue to help control my Relapsing Polychondritis and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).
As for now, I do not know if Imuran will stop my cartilage from destroying itself. A girl can dream.
I increase my Imuran dosage this week. I will keep you posted.
I am happy to report that a week into taking Imuran, I feel better. However, my baseline is low, extremely low.
Fingers crossed, Imuran will continue to help control my Relapsing Polychondritis and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).
The video below shows me before, I begin my journey with Imuran prescription medication.
If you have health tips that you feel would be valuable to HypoGal's audience then please email me; Lisa@HypoGal.com.
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