Prevention

In patients with frequent relapses ^d give azathioprine (≥ 2.0 mg/kg daily) ^a

Why?

• It reduces relapse and steroid use, but adverse effects are common (pancreatitis, leukopenia, nausea, "allergy" and infection) ^a

Azathioprine helps maintain remission but causes adverse effects

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	OR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
Crohn's disease a	azathioprine	placebo	still in remission at 6-12 months	53%	2.16 (1.35 to 3.47)	6 (4 to 14)
			on 10 mg prednisolone or less per day at 6-12 months	53%	5.22 (1.06 to 25.68)	3 (2 to 69)
			adverse effects at 6-12 months	1.6%	4.36 (1.63 to 11.67)	-20 (-100 to -7)