About azathiopri ne
Immunosuppressant antimetabolite
Used for
- Prevents organ transplant rejection
- Treats severe rheumatoid arthritis
- Treats some autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease
Usual adult dose
Usually 1–3 mg/kg once daily for transplant; 1–2.5 mg/kg daily for rheumatoid arthritis. Doses vary by condition.
Usual dose in children
Specialist-directed dosing, often 1–3 mg/kg daily for transplant or selected autoimmune conditions.
Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Low blood cell counts and increased infections
- Liver inflammation
- Increased risk of some cancers
Important warnings
- Requires regular blood counts and liver tests
- Severe bone marrow suppression can occur; TPMT or NUDT15 testing may guide treatment
- Seek urgent assessment for fever, unusual bruising, or severe infection
- Avoid live vaccines unless a specialist advises otherwise
Pregnancy
May be continued in some pregnancies when necessary, under specialist supervision; stopping treatment can also be harmful.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk; breastfeeding may be possible with specialist advice and infant monitoring.
Interactions
- Allopurinol and febuxostat can greatly increase toxicity; dose adjustment or avoidance is needed
- Ribavirin may increase severe blood cell suppression
- Warfarin effect may be reduced
- Live vaccines may cause infection or work less effectively
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.