Azathioprine : Before Using

Azathioprine - Systemic

Brand Names

Imuran Azathioprine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For azathioprine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to azathioprine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Use of azathioprine is not recommended during pregnancy. It may cause birth defects if either the male or the female is using it at the time of conception. The use of birth control methods is recommended. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

Breast-feeding problem

Azathioprine passes into breast milk. Because this drug may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are using it.

Use for Children

This drug has been tested in child and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people. Although there is no special info comparing use of azathioprine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this drug is not expected to cause various side effects or problems in elderly people than it does in adults people.

Dental The effects of azathioprine may cause increased infections and delayed healing. Dental work, whenever possible, must be completed prior to beginning this drug.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking or receiving azathioprine it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Allopurinol - Zyloprim May interfere with removal of azathioprine from the body; effects of azathioprine - including toxicity may be increased

Chlorambucil - Leukeran
Corticosteroids - cortisone-like drug
Cyclophosphamide - Cytoxan
Cyclosporine - Sandimmune
Mercaptopurine - Purinethol
Muromonab-CD3 - monoclonal antibody - Orthoclone OKT3 There may be an increased risk of infection and cancer because azathioprine reduces the body's ability to fight them

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of azathioprine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Chickenpox - including recent exposure
Herpes zoster - shingles chance of severe disease effecting other parts of the body

Gout Allopurinol - using to treat gout may increase wanted and unwanted effects of azathioprine

Infection Azathioprine decreases your body's ability to fight infection

Kidney disease
Liver disease Effects of azathioprine may be increased because of slower removal from the body

Pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas Azathioprine can cause pancreatitis