Generic name: azathioprine (ay za THYE oh preen)

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

Drug class: Antirheumatics, Other immunosuppressants

Uses :-

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.

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

Azathioprine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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.

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; or
• 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 may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• hair loss; or
• skin rash.