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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ay
za THYE oh
preen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Imuran® |
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|
| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Azatrilem (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Immunosuppressant Agent |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Long-term use of azathioprine may increase your risk of getting
cancer.
|
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to azathioprine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you are pregnant or
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to prevent your body's rejection of solid organ
transplants such as kidney.
- Other uses include treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis,
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other autoimmune diseases.
- It may take weeks or months to see the benefit in some
diseases.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Azathioprine decreases the body's response to diseases affecting the
immune system.
- It helps the body accept a new organ more
easily.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well
first.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are taking allopurinol. Azathioprine's
dose will need changing.
- The risk of cancer is higher after taking this medicine.
- Vaccines may be less effective. Avoid the use of live vaccines.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check temperature. Watch for signs of infection.
- Check blood work usually every 2 weeks to start. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills, sore throat, or sore mouth.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow
eyes/skin, not hungry.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
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|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store tablet in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
- Store suspension in a tight container in the refrigerator. Throw away
after 2 months.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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