* Generic Name: azathioprine
* Brand Name: Imuran
* What is azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
* What are the possible side effects of azathioprine (Azasan,
Imuran)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
* How should I take azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Azasan, Imuran)?
* What happens if I overdose (Azasan, Imuran)?
* What should I avoid while taking azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
* What other drugs will affect azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
* Where can I get more information (Azasan, Imuran)?
What is azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
Azathioprine lowers your body's immune system. The immune
system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also
fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This
is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
Azathioprine is used to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted
kidney. It is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Azathioprine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using azathioprine and call your doctor right away if you have any
of these symptoms of lymphoma:
* fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness;
* feeling full after eating only a small amount;
* pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder; or
* easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or
short of breath, rapid heart rate.
Azathioprine may cause a serious viral infection of the brain that can
lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have
any change in your mental state, decreased vision, or problems with
speech or walking. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse
quickly.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
* signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, body aches,
weakness, muscle pain, flu symptoms);
* severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
* pain or burning with urination;
* white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
* liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
* mild upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
* hair loss; or
* skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about azathioprine
(Azasan, Imuran)?
Some people using azathioprine have developed a rare fast-growing type
of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and
bone marrow, and it can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in
teenagers and young adults using azathioprine or similar medicines to
treat Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Imuran Patient Information including How Should I Take
RxList
Take the Kidney Disease Quiz
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking azathioprine
(Azasan, Imuran)?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to azathioprine,
or if you are pregnant (unless the benefits of treating you outweigh
any risks posed by taking azathioprine).
Some people using azathioprine have developed a rare fast-growing type
of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and
bone marrow, and it can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers
and young adults using azathioprine or similar medicines to treat
Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
However, people with autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid
arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and
psoriasis) may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk to your
doctor about your individual risk.
While taking azathioprine, you may have a higher risk of developing
skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms
to watch for.
To make sure azathioprine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
have:
* liver disease;
* any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection;
* if you have received a kidney transplant; or
* if you have recently received chemotherapy treatments with
medications such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan),
chlorambucil (Leukeran), melphalan (Alkeran).
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use azathioprine if you are pregnant.
It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Azathioprine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
should not breast-feed while you are using azathioprine.
This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children),
whether you are a man or a woman. Talk with your doctor if you have
concerns about this.
How should I take azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
Your doctor may perform blood tests to make sure you do not have
conditions that would prevent you from safely using azathioprine.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended.
Take azathioprine with food to lessen stomach upset.
You may not be able to continue taking other arthritis medications
together with azathioprine. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions
very carefully.
Azathioprine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections
and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed
from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your
blood will need to be tested often.
It may take up to 8 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the
medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not
improve.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using azathioprine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short
time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the
bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Imuran Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
RxList
Take the Kidney Disease Quiz
Kidney Stones:Learn How to Prevent Them
Kidney Stone Slideshow Pictures
High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension
High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Azasan, Imuran)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Azasan, Imuran)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Azathioprine can increase
your risk of developing skin cancer. Wear protective clothing and use
sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using azathioprine. The vaccine
may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you
from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps,
rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever,
varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal
flu (influenza) vaccine.
What other drugs will affect azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or
stop using during your treatment with azathioprine, especially:
* allopurinol;
* a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven); or
* blood pressure medicine (benazepril, captopril,
enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, ramipril,
trandolapril, and others).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with azathioprine,
including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
medication guide.
Where can I get more information (Azasan, Imuran)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about azathioprine.
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