Category: Immunosuppressant Agent

Dosage form:

Scored tablet 50 mg

What is Azathioprine used for?

• It is used after a kidney transplant to keep the body from rejecting the kidney.
• It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Important notes before taking Azathioprine:

• If you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have ever been treated with chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, or melphalan in the past.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Cyclosporine or febuxostat.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to ensure that it is safe to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Azathioprine:

Tell all of your healthcare providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.

• You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• If you have thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) or nucleotide diphosphatase (NUDT15) deficiency, talk with your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• The chance of skin cancer may be raised. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• You may need to have your skin checked while you take this drug. Talk with your doctor.
• This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you may become pregnant, you must use birth control while taking this drug. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Azathioprine side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
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• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Change in color or size of a mole.
• A skin lump or growth.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a swollen gland, night sweats, shortness of breath, or weight loss without trying.
• Low blood cell counts have happened with this drug. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or if you feel very tired or weak.
• A brain problem called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has happened with this drug. It may cause disability or can be deadly. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs like confusion, memory problems, low mood (depression), change in the way you act, change in strength on 1 side is greater than the other, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, or change in eyesight.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

 How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.