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Is It Safe To Take Imuran For Crohn's Diasease For Long?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: i have crohns developed in my 40ies i have been on several different drugs but was put on imuran approx. 15 years ao 150 mg OD have u heard of long term treatment with imuran causing cancer?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Imuran increases risk of skin cancer and lymphoma

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Long term use of imuran which contains azathioprine in patients with crohns disease may increase your risk of developing skin cancer and lymphoma.

Imuran also cause serious blood disorders such as decreased bone marrow function leading to anemia, low number of white blood cells and platelets.

It can lower your body's ability to fight an infection.

Since you had been using this drug for 15 years I will advise you to consult your doctor regarding stopping this the drug and replaceing it with something else.

Regards

DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Monish De (13 hours later)
what would be the symphons of lymphoma -ive been experiencing a lot of mid back pain and have developed quite a few elongaged firm nodulars/lump in that area of my back would you consider this a problem
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not lymphoma

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Symptoms of lymphoma include a painless swelling in the neck, under an arm, or in the groin, fevers, chills, unexplained weight loss, night sweats and lack of energy.

I would not consider few elongaged firm lump in your back area as lymphoma and they are most probably fat depositions and since you are not having the above symptoms you do not need to worry.

For your mid back pain you can take paracetamol tablets 500 mg twice daily after food.

If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.

Regards

DR DE

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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Is It Safe To Take Imuran For Crohn's Diasease For Long?

Brief Answer: Imuran increases risk of skin cancer and lymphoma Detailed Answer: Hi Long term use of imuran which contains azathioprine in patients with crohns disease may increase your risk of developing skin cancer and lymphoma. Imuran also cause serious blood disorders such as decreased bone marrow function leading to anemia, low number of white blood cells and platelets. It can lower your body's ability to fight an infection. Since you had been using this drug for 15 years I will advise you to consult your doctor regarding stopping this the drug and replaceing it with something else. Regards DR DE