PharmaFlare analyzed patient experiences on Remicade and Imuran combination
Key Insight: PharmaFlare analysis reveals that 70.8% of patient views ( Preferring combination ( n=34), total ( n=48)) are having a positive attitude towards the combination of Remicade and Imuran as Imuran is preventing the body making antibodies against the Remicade, as well as helping achieve remission. But at the same time 29.2% (Risk of Lymphoma (n=14), total (n=48)) of the patients are concerned about the risk of Lymphoma by using the combination.
In this note, many of the Gastroenterologists and managed care organization’s pharmacy directors from the US asked us to analyze patient viewpoints on Remicade and Imuran for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.
PharmaFlare analyzed 48 different patient viewpoints on Remicade and Imuran combination, 34 of which were favorable to the combination and the rest 14 had concerns about the combination.
Sample Positive Attitudes Towards Remicade and Imuran Combination (Total 34 Comments):
Reasons for positive attitudes towards the combination:
• High Efficacy (27)
• Physician Advice (7)
Sample Comment 1:
Although ive never had a fistula, I started on imuran 1st then went on to remicade as well. Most people at my hospital are on both as the imuran helps stop the body from rejecting the remicade. Luckily i can tolerate imuran (others get side effects) and ive not had any problem with these two combinations (also on mezavant as well). I read about the increase of chance of getting cancer, but I thought the risk was worth taking to have a good quality life now.
Sample Comment 2:
Hi ddg! I am also Remicade and Imuran. Like rygon, I started Imuran first as a maintenance drug, and then added on Remicade, and I don't have a fistula. I'm also on Pred -- I ended up in the hospital for a few days with an obstruction in early March, so they loaded me up with drugs! So far, so good, though. My doc says that he will take me off of the Imuran once I am feeling better (he said maybe 3 months) because it is mainly helpful for preventing the development of antibodies in when you are first receiving
Remicade (I am doing my own little lit review on this, though -- I will post on the remi subforum if I find anything interesting). For me, I was ok with the increased cancer risk of the two drugs combined because of the added benefits the Imuran would give.
Sample Negative Attitudes Towards Remicade and Imuran Combination (Total 14 Comments):
Reasons for negative attitudes towards the combination:
• Side Effects ( 12, of which 7 are concerned about Lymphoma)
• Efficacy (1)
• Physician Advice (1)
Sample Comment 1:
My doctor wants me to stay on Remicade even though I was recently in the hospital from a partial small bowel obstruction due to inflammation. I would think that that would mean the Remicade wasn't working. He's going to keep me on the Imuran for 6-9 months and said that there's an increased risk of lymphoma when you're on both at the same time. That makes me incredibly nervous. I was nervous enough on the Remicade alone.
Sample Comment 2:
I was on azathioprine when I started Remicade, but my doctor discontinued it shortly thereafter because of a very slightly increased incidence of lymphoma for people taking both. The aza hadn't done much for me anyway, so I didn't notice any difference.
http://www.prlog.org/11888567-remicade-and-imuran-combination-patient-experiences.html
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