Imuran

Imuran 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

Drug classes: Antirheumatics, Other immunosuppressants

Uses #

Imuran is used to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. This medicine is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Directions for use #

• Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Imuran.

• Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

• When given for kidney transplant, Imuran is usually given right before or on the day of transplant. For rheumatoid arthritis, this medicine is taken on a daily basis.

• It may take up to 8 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using Imuran as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 12 weeks of use.

• Take with food if Imuran upsets your stomach.

• You may not be able to continue taking other arthritis medications together with Imuran. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor’s advice.

• Imuran affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis.

Side effects #

Stop using Imuran 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 Imuran may include:

• Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain

• Hair loss

• Skin rash.

Warnings #

Imuran 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.