Azathioprine -- Experiences and What to ask new Rheumatologist

Hello @grrranny, Hopefully your husbands new rheumatologist can follow in the footsteps of the one that retired. I thought you might like to scan through the discussions and member comments from other members on Azathioprine while you wait for members to respond - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/. Here's a list of common questions that might be helpful to review to come up with some of your own questions - https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/azathioprine/common-questions-about-azathioprine/.

Best person to talk to first is your pharmacist.
They know more about meds than doctors.

Hello,

I was diagnosed with IGA vasculitis this spring and placed on Azathoprine. My rheumatologist had me doing routine labs every two weeks for eight weeks and then every two months.
I know that I was told it could cause gastrointestinal issues ( a frequent side effect), liver toxicity and fatigue.
After 8 weeks of taking Azathoprine my liver enzymes continually increase to where they were 8-10 times higher than the normal range. I was take off Azathoprine for 2 weeks and repeated labs and my enzymes were almost back to the normal range. I had very little gastrointestinal issues but experienced the fatigue.
I have just been placed (2 weeks) on Mycrophenlate-Moftil and have the same lab routine for the first 8 weeks and than every 2 months after.
I did not experience any of the sinus issues your husband is experiencing.
Hopefully you can address these concerns with a new rheumatologist. My rheumatologist and my pharmacist both at Mayo Clinic provided me with information regarding each to the drugs when prescribed.
Good Luck to your husband!