Azathioprine and Fatigue: What Users Say

• CAB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2023

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "Diagnosed with AIH in March 2021, started on prednisone, once liver enzyme levels stabilized, I was placed on AZA. No major side effects other than excessive fatigue in the beginning that would come on suddenly. I would be doing well, and then fatigue would hit me out of nowhere. Learned to pace myself, listen to my body, and rest when I needed to. I also started to do low-impact exercise and get 20 minutes a day, which helped a lot. Fast forward, my numbers have been stable the whole time while taking AZA. I just had a liver biopsy, which showed no inflammatory activity. I am tapering the medication and will see my liver doctor in 3 months to recheck labs. The healing process has been a hard journey, it’s not just taking the medication to heal your body, it’s also healing your mind, spirit, and soul. Making changes to honor yourself. I pray that everyone who has been diagnosed with this condition is restored and healed."

• flu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2019

Azathioprine for Ulcerative Colitis "I have been on Imuran for over 10 years now. I am now going through my first flare-up. I still take it along with a diarrhea med. The Imuran has been a lifesaver for me. Fatigue is normal, have not had to stop any activity. We ride 4-wheelers, drag race, etc. I love the medicine."

• TEP...
• August 27, 2009

Azathioprine for Myasthenia Gravis "I have been on Imuran for 6 months and find it very helpful for my ocular symptoms and moderately helpful for my generalized myasthenia gravis symptoms (fatigue and weakness). So far, normal hemograms, hepatic function tests, and renal/chem-7 results."

• Lee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 28, 2019

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "Was on azathioprine for 4-5 years, it got my liver numbers down and kept them down. But into the 5th year, I asked to try weaning off or lowering the dosage, I was constantly getting sick. It seemed that I was being knocked down at least once a month from a cold or just complete fatigue. I also noticed if I went into highly public areas, stores or restaurants, I would be laid up the next two days. I did good at a lower dosage, then stopped taking altogether for almost 2 years. I sustained knee injuries and required pain medication until then, along with lidocaine patches, my numbers spiked to the 300s, and quickly, so I’m back on the azathioprine. Hopefully, I will be able to go off again after healing or something that won’t over-suppress my immune system to the point I cannot be out in public will come along."

• Sys...
• December 8, 2015

Azathioprine for Lupus "Have been on it for over a year, works okay at this point, still having some fatigue and still have pain and swelling in feet and hands. Also take Plaquenil, so this may be helping also. Would love to feel as good as the people on Benlysta :)"

• Kan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2018

For Crohn's Disease "Azathioprine was given to me for my Crohn's colitis after Pentasa failed to do the job at all. At first, it was horrible. Lack of energy and severe nausea after taking it. This led me to become pretty depressed, and the doctor was going to take me off of it because my blood work wasn't showing up good. However, after 2-3 months, the side effects went away, and I haven't had a problem with Crohn's at all for about 4 years! Please give this medicine a shot even if you feel awful. It will hopefully pass, and you will get relief like I did. I'd give it a 10 if it wasn't for the side effects and blood tests you'll need to take for the rest of your time on it. Oh, here's a tip that helped me too: If you get bad nausea, then try taking it with a mouthful of food. Mix it in with the food in your mouth. That helped me not get as sick."

• BBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2021

For Lupus "I've been taking azathioprine for over two months now (May 2021) for my lupus. First on a low dose, then it was raised after a few weeks of taking it. There has been no improvement for me, but there have been problems that were caused by azathioprine. There has been blood in my urine, stomach irritation, occasional nausea, fatigue (even though I'm often fatigued because of lupus & other medications), as well as hair loss. When I was first diagnosed with lupus in April 2020, my symptoms were getting worse & hair loss happened majorly. By mid-October 2020, I was hospitalized for over a month. I started to improve but still not my full self. Still aches & pains, but my hair was starting to grow back. However, taking azathioprine has caused me to lose my hair again but in noticeable areas. Azathioprine isn't working for me & causing me problems."

• bor...
• August 3, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis "This medicine seemed to work at first, the negatives ultimately were worse than the positives. It did put me down to about 4 bowel motions a day, but it was at the cost of horrendous acne, terrible headaches, joint pain, and fatigue. Doctor still has me on it for another autoimmune disease, but keeps me at a minimum."

• Don...
• February 25, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Took methotrexate for 7 weeks and had to stop because of extreme fatigue and stomach issues. Doctor started me on azathioprine, and I took my first 50 mg dose about an hour before I went to bed. I refused to take it again! My sinus passages started burning after about an hour of taking it, and I developed a headache that lasted for about 18 hours. I was extremely nauseous when I woke up and felt really lightheaded. Then there were the brutal stomach issues. I'll spare you the details :) Never again!"

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Have had UC since 1991 and been on Prednisolone and Asacol, which became ineffective. Severe attack in October 2016 - spent 10 days in the hospital. IV steroids and then sent home on reducing steroids - symptoms began to return. Azathioprine prescribed. Certainly helped reduce and eventually stop UC bleeding. Trips to the toilet reduced to around 3 or 4 occasions. Initially caused liver function problems, which improved. However, the drug has shattered my immune system - have taken any cold, cough, or flu that crops up. Makes me fatigued after around 40 minutes of exertion. Cannot now play golf, take hill walks, or do heavy garden work, etc. I guess it is good for some patients and not so good for others. Seeing the consultant soon and will discuss options."

• Nau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2017

Azathioprine for Ulcerative Colitis "With Imuran, I had no quality of life. Daily fatigue and nausea/vomiting. Things are better on Entyvio."