The BSG is issuing this statement for the benefit of people with IBD who are taking Azathioprine. Please read it carefully.

To Patients taking Azathioprine as their only drug for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

(this does not refer to liver patients*)

You may have recently received a text message from the NHS if you are taking the drug Azathioprine. This precaution was taken to protect as many people as possible whilst specialty advice for the IBD patient group was confirmed.

Specialty advice has been widely circulated now and for IBD patients most people will fall into the moderate risk category. Please see the advice grid published at the CCUK and BSG websites.

IBD patients (without complicating factors) on single drug Azathioprine, are advised to follow full social distancing measures in line with Government recommendations.

This message comes from specialty teams of doctors at the British Society of Gastroenterology working with our charity sector partners, the Royal College of Physicians and other stakeholders.

*Further information for liver patients can be found here.