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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Is anyone in the group taking Imuran? Does it help you and do you have side effects? I've read it can cause liver problems and hair loss.

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Tyrone, PA
July 12
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A MyLupusTeam Member

I've had a few patients on it who tolerated it well and didn't have hair loss or other major side effects.

July 13
A MyLupusTeam Member

I was concerned about taking it given I already have NAFLD, and was supposed to be put on Myfortic instead after a bad reaction to Methotrexate. Then MUSC decided to do nothing and said they don't treat overlap disorders. So, it went from full steam ahead treatment to no treatment at all, and I still have the same symptoms I've had before the methotrexate treatment??? They claim my skin biopsy 5 months later after massive amounts of Prednisone cleared most of my rash, didn't definitively spell out Dematomyocitus, though everything else did?? Earlier skin biopsies noted SLE, but were done by another provider, so they ignored them. 🤷🏼‍♀️

July 12
MyLupusTeam

Imuran (azathioprine) is commonly used to treat lupus, especially when other treatments haven't worked well. Many people find it helpful for managing their condition, but like most medications, it does come with potential side effects worth knowing about.

MyLupusTeam members have shared mixed experiences. One member noted Show Full Answer

Imuran (azathioprine) is commonly used to treat lupus, especially when other treatments haven't worked well. Many people find it helpful for managing their condition, but like most medications, it does come with potential side effects worth knowing about.

MyLupusTeam members have shared mixed experiences. One member noted losing significant weight that had been gained from prednisone, while another shared that reduced pain and inflammation allowed them to become more active. Regarding hair loss specifically, yes — it is a known side effect for some people. One MyLupusTeam member shared that switching from azathioprine to mycophenolate was partly motivated by significant hair thinning from Imuran.

Some tips to help protect your hair include:

- Using gentle products like baby shampoo
- Avoiding heat styling and chemical treatments
- Skipping tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp
- Protecting your scalp from sun exposure It's really important to talk openly with your rheumatologist about any side effects you're experiencing or concerned about. They can monitor your liver health through regular blood tests and adjust your treatment plan if needed. Everyone responds differently to medications, so what works well for one person may not be the right fit for another.

July 12

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