Key facts about Azathioprine
What dosages is Azathioprine available in?
Azathioprine is available as a 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg oral tablet.
What is Azathioprine used for?
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant and is used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney and rheumatoid arthritis.
How does Azathioprine work?
Azathioprine is in a drug class known as immunosuppressants. This means it weakens your body’s immune response. It’s important to lower your immune response after a kidney transplant so that your body doesn’t attack the new kidney. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it can stop your immune system from attacking your joints.
How do I take Azathioprine?
Azathioprine is typically given as 1 mg to 3 mg per kilogram of bodyweight by mouth once daily for kidney transplant patients. This usually comes out to 50 mg to 150 mg per day.
For rheumatoid arthritis: The typical dosing is 1 mg per kilogram of bodyweight given by mouth once daily or divided into two doses per day.
Is it safe for me to take Azathioprine?
Azathioprine is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have rheumatoid arthritis and are pregnant or previously treated with alkylating agents
(cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, or others).
Azathioprine Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Azathioprine include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Leukopenia (lowering of white blood cells in the body)
- Infections
Azathioprine Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Azathioprine. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Signs of an allergic reaction like trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling (on your face, lips, mouth, or throat), peeling skin, rash, or hives
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising (go to the emergency room)
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Azathioprine
The following medications may interact with Azathioprine:
- Drugs which may affect leukocyte production: Meds such as co-trimoxazole, may lead to exaggerated leukopenia, especially in renal transplant recipients
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to control hypertension in patients on Azathioprine has been reported to induce anemia and severe leukopenia
- Warfarin: Azathioprine may inhibit the anticoagulant effect of warfarin
- Ribavirin: May induce severe pancytopenia and may increase the risk of Azathioprine-related myelotoxicity
Who makes Azathioprine?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Azathioprine safe in pregnancy?
Azathioprine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Azathioprine should not be given during pregnancy without careful weighing of risk versus benefit. Whenever possible, use of Azathioprine in pregnant patients should be avoided. This drug should not be used for treating rheumatoid arthritis in pregnant women.
