Azathioprine

Azathioprine weakens your body's immune system, to help keep it from rejecting a transplanted organ such as a kidney. Organ rejection happens when the immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it.

Introduction #

Generic name: Azathioprine

Brand names: Azasan, Imuran

Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 50 mg; 75 mg)

Drug classes: Antirheumatics, Other immunosuppressants

Uses #

Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients

Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

Benefits #

In Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients

Azoth 50 Tablet is an immunosuppressive agent that lowers your immune response and reduces the chance of your body attacking the transplanted organ. Organ rejection happens when your immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it. This medicine may be used in combination with other medicines to suppress the immune system and help your body accept the new organ.

In Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

Azoth 50 Tablet works by blocking the action of some chemicals which cause inflammation. It can help reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints and slow down the progression of bone and joint damage. This will help you do normal daily activities more easily and thus improve your quality of life. This medicine should be taken at the same time each day to get maximum benefits. Keep taking it even if you feel well because it is preventing future harm as well as improving your symptoms.

Directions for use #

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Azoth 50 Tablet is to be taken with food.

How it works #

Azoth 50 Tablet is an immunosuppressant. It reduces the action of body’s own defense system (the immune system) and prevents rejection of the transplanted organ. It also blocks the action of certain chemical messengers that are responsible for inflammation, swelling, and redness associated with certain joint diseases.

Side effects #

Stop using azathioprine and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of lymphoma:

• Fever, swollen glands, body aches, night sweats, not feeling well

• Pale skin, rash, easy bruising or bleeding

• Cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath

• Pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder

• Feeling full after eating only a small amount, weight loss.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• Signs of infection (fever, chills, weakness, flu symptoms, sore throat, cough, pain or burning when you urinate)

• Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding

• Rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath

• Pale skin, cold hands and feet or

• Dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of azathioprine may include:

• Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain

• Hair loss

• Skin rash.

Warnings #

Azathioprine may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has occurred mainly in teenagers and young men with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.