| Theme | Role of AZA/6-MP in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The Tailoring Therapy, Adverse Events and Points to Keep in Mind of AZA/6-MP for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease | |
| Publish Date | 2007/11 | |
| Author | Shozo Okamura | Division of Gastroenterology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital |
| Author | Kazuhiro Furukawa | Division of Gastroenterology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital |
| Author | Masahiro Yamada | Division of Gastroenterology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital |
| Author | Shusuke Kitabatake | Division of Gastroenterology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital |
| Author | Keiichi Sakamaki | Division of Gastroenterology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital |
| Author | Fumihiro Urano | Division of Gastroenterology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | We tried the tailoring therapy in which the given dosage of AZA/6-MP is adjusted according to individual white blood cell count so that it may turn to 2,500 to 5,000 / mm3. The rate of effectiveness was 76.7 % in Crohn's disease, and 90.5 % in ulcerative colitis. There were side effects in 27 out of 90 patients (30 %). The major side effects, which appeared within 4 weeks, were gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue. After the 5th week, leukopenia was the most frequent Complication followed by anemia, liver dysfunction, hair loss, pancreatitis, herpes zoster and headache. Leukopenia was observed from 6 weeks to 4 months after initiation of medication in 9 of 11 cases. The latest onset was 13 months after initiation of medication. Although medication was stopped in 2 of 27 cases, dose reduction and / or exchange of the drugs was effective in 10 cases and dose reduction after interruption of the drugs was also helpful in 12 cases. In conclusion tailoring therapy of AZA/6-MP under strict investigation was considered to be a safe and efficient treatment for IBD. | |