Azathioprine
Brand names
- Alti-Azathioprine
- Gen-Azathioprine
- Imuran
- Med-Azathioprine
- Novo-Azathioprine
- Riva-Azathioprine
Usage
To slow down or reduce the
natural tendency of the
immune system to reject
organ transplants, and to treat
rheumatoid arthritis and other
conditions.
How it works
Azathioprine prevents the
immune system from attacking transplanted organs and
slows down immune cells that
cause inflammation in joints
and elsewhere.
Side effects
- Serious
- Rapid heartbeat; sudden fever or chills;
back, side,
muscle,
or joint pain; unusual tiredness or weakness;
cough or
hoarseness; shortness of breath; black, tarry stools;
blood
in urine or stools; difficult or painful urination; severe or
sudden stomach pain with
nausea, vomiting, or
diarrhea;
red spots, red patches, or blisters on skin; unusual
bleeding or
bruising; abrupt or sudden, unusual feeling of
discomfort or illness. These may be signs of serious infection,
bleeding emergencies, or gastrointestinal problems. Seek immediate medical assistance.
- Common
- Moderate nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite.
- Less common
- Liver problems, skin
rash, sores in mouth, stomach pain,
swelling of feet or lower legs, shortness of breath.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Azathioprine may decrease the effects of:
- certain muscle relaxants (gallamine, pancuronium, tubocurarine) and make
it necessary to increase their dosage.
- oral anticoagulants (warfarin, etc.) and requires increased doses.
The following medicament may increase the effects of azathioprine:
- allopurinol (Zyloprim)-may increase its activity and toxicity and make it
necessary to reduce its dosage.
Azathioprine taken concurrently with:
- ACE inhibitors such as captopril or enalapril may cause
severe white blood cell count lowering or anemia.
- cotrimoxazole (Bactrim, others) can cause severe lowering of white blood
cell counts.
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, others) may lead to decreased cyclosporine
levels, requiring more frequent blood level checks and dosing adjustments.
- prednisolone will result in lower prednisolone blood levels and risk of
decreased therapeutic benefit.
- warfarin (Coumadin) may result in decreased anticoagulant effectiveness.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Some patients use Echinacea to attempt to boost
their immune systems. Unfortunately, use of
Echinacea is not recommended
in people with damaged immune systems. This herb may also actually
weaken any immune system if it is used too often or for too long a time.
- Discontinuation:
- A gradual reduction in dosage is preferable. Consult your
physician for a withdrawal schedule.
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