Hi I was diagnosed with crohns around 18 months ago, I was initially given AZA as my first go at treatment along with budesinide streroids to control my symptoms while the AZA got into my system. This treatment resulted in liver problems so I had to be taken off and now I have been put on a new drug called Mercaptopurine which the doctor refers to as 6 MP. My GP hadn't even heard of this drug and had to look it up in her drug dictionary, which made me quite wary of it. When I got the drug it came with a warning that this drug was used in the treatment of leukemia!

Just wanted to know does anyone else have experience of being put on this to control their Crohn's?

hey danny, ive never had any experience with 6mp, ive never been offered it, but i have been on methortrexate, this drug is also used to treat some form of cancers an other such diseases, its called a ( an excuse the spelling) cycotoxic drug, its a form of chemotherapy, a cell distruction drug so if ya doctor has put you on it then i wudnt worry about it to much take it easy an hope it goes well for ya

Hi Danny

I'd been on this drug for 4 months and have just come off it.  I had to have weekly blood tests and it was quite frightening how my blood count changed by the week and I also developed problems with my pancreas but all is ok now that I have stopped it.  Not sure if it did anything at all for my Crohns though, I ended up having an op to remove the diseased bowel.  Good luck with it.  Do you know what dosage you are on?  I was on 100mg per day.

Cheers
Lou

Optimum duration of treatment with 6-mercaptopurine for Crohn's disease
Peter S. Kim, M.D. a , Jusuf Zlatanic, M.D. a , Burton I. Korelitz, M.D. a , Gilbert W. Gleim, Ph.D. b
  a Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital and the New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York USA   b Section of Biostatistics, Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital and the New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York USA
  Reprint requests and correspondence: Burton I. Korelitz, M.D., Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, 100 East 77 Street, New York, NY 10021
Copyright 1999 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology
ABSTRACT

Objective: 6-Mercaptopurine (6MP) and azathioprine are immunomodulators used in the treatment of refractory Crohn's disease. Studies have confirmed their efficacy and value in maintenance of remission, but it is our purpose to determine how long 6MP/azathioprine should be continued once remission has been accomplished.

Methods: Careful follow-up was accomplished in patients with Crohn's disease seen at one medical center who were treated with 6MP for ≥6 months, who achieved remission within 1 yr of initiation of therapy, and who were in prolonged clinical remission (≥6 months without steroids). The time-to-relapse was calculated in those who continued treatment, in those who stopped treatment for reasons other than a relapse, and in the whole sample, taking into account that they could be treated with the drug, or could not, as a function of time. The influence of concomitant variables on the time-to-relapse rate was evaluated.

Results: A total of 120 patients met the inclusion criteria. The cumulative probabilities of relapse at 1, 2, 3, and 5 yr for those who continued to take 6MP and for those who stopped the therapy for reasons other than a relapse are as follows: Patients maintained on 6MP ( n = 84 ): 1 yr, 29%; 2 yr, 45%; 3 yr, 55%; 5 yr, 61%. Patients who terminated 6MP ( n = 36 ): 1 yr, 36%; 2 yr, 71%; 3 yr, 85%; 5 yr, 85%. Sex, distribution of disease, duration of disease, time to remission on 6MP, and concomitant 5-ASA use did not influence the relapse rates. Younger age was associated with a higher rate of relapse in patients who were maintained on 6MP. A higher daily dose of 6MP was associated with a higher relapse rate.

Conclusions: Discontinuation of 6MP, while Crohn's disease is in remission, leads to higher relapse rates and continuation of 6MP reduces the likelihood of relapse. Therefore, we favor the indefinite use of 6MP once remission has been achieved.

Hey guys thanks for the replies!

I'm on 100mg a day, had no reactions as of yet, the weekly blood tests are ok, but I haven't had any reduction in my symptoms as of yet either.

Went for an appointment with the consultant yesterday, and the man is intent on slicing me open and stealing some of my bowel.

Not looking forward to that but seems to be the only way I'm going to get some relief from the gurgling creature hidden in my belly

feeling really good about it though!

Thanks People