Azathioprine
Lupus Nephritis, Pericarditis, Uveitis + 5 more
Treatment
3 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Azathioprine
Treatment for
Lupus Nephritis
What is Azathioprine
Azathioprine
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Azathioprine is a medication used to treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and to help prevent organ rejection after a transplant surgery. It was originally developed in 1956 and approved by the FDA in 1968. Azathioprine is a derivative of 6-mercaptopurine, meaning it is related to, but does not contain, the same active ingredient.
Imuran
is the brand name
Azathioprine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Imuran
Azathioprine
1968
50
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Azathioprine, otherwise called Imuran, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses like Kidney Transplant Rejection and Rheumatoid Arthritis .
Kidney Transplant Rejection
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Kidney Transplantation
Effectiveness
How Azathioprine Affects Patients
Azathioprine is a daily medication that helps to suppress the immune system. It works by affecting the cells that cause inflammation, and can also reduce the risk of cancer of the skin or lymph nodes. However, it is important to be aware that it can have side effects, so patients should discuss this with their doctor.
How Azathioprine works in the body
Azathioprine's exact effects aren't known, but it seems to limit the production of molecules called purines. It also blocks B and T cells from working properly. Azathioprine's metabolite, 6-thioguanine triphosphate, stops T cells from activating and causes them to die. This seems to be an effect of the molecule's action on a protein called rac1, which in turn affects other proteins like mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-kappaB.
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested dosage of Azathioprine is subject to the determined condition, such as Atopic Dermatitis, Kidney Transplantation and Crohn's Disease. The measure can be seen in the table below, contingent upon the method of delivery (e.g. Tablet, film coated - Oral or Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous).
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Lupus Nephritis
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Pericarditis
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Uveitis
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Kidney Transplantation
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Multiple Sclerosis
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Rheumatoid Arthritis
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Crohn's Disease
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Psoriasis
50.0 mg, , 75.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Powder, for solution, Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Warnings
Azathioprine Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Azathioprine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Alkylating Agents
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Azathioprine.
Common Azathioprine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azathioprine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azathioprine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azathioprine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azathioprine is combined with Acteoside.
Aldosterone
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azathioprine is combined with Aldosterone.
Azathioprine Toxicity & Overdose Risk
The lowest toxic dose of the drug in mice has been found to be 2500mg/kg and 400mg/kg in rats. Those who overdose may experience decreased bone marrow production, bleeding, and infection, which can potentially be fatal. Treatment includes managing symptoms and hemodialysis, which can remove 45% of the dose from the bloodstream.
Azathioprine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Azathioprine?
430 active clinical trials are currently underway to assess the potential of Azathioprine in the management of Rejection; Transplant, Kidney, Uveitis and Crohn's Disease.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Crohn's Disease
54 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Rheumatoid Arthritis
55 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Lupus Nephritis
24 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 4
Pericarditis
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3
Kidney Transplantation
0 Actively Recruiting
Uveitis
3 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3
Multiple Sclerosis
127 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 2, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Psoriasis
0 Actively Recruiting
Azathioprine Reviews: What are patients saying about Azathioprine?
5
Patient Review
2/2/2016
Azathioprine for Liver Inflammation caused by Body's Own Immune Response
4.7
Patient Review
12/23/2019
Azathioprine for Crohn's Disease
4.7
Patient Review
7/21/2016
Azathioprine for Ulcerated Colon
4
Patient Review
6/12/2017
Azathioprine for Liver Inflammation caused by Body's Own Immune Response
3.7
Patient Review
4/29/2015
Azathioprine for Inflammation of Skin and Muscles All Over the Body
3
Patient Review
2/8/2017
Azathioprine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3
Patient Review
7/29/2020
Azathioprine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
2.7
Patient Review
1/15/2015
Azathioprine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
2.7
Patient Review
9/21/2015
Azathioprine for Liver Inflammation caused by Body's Own Immune Response
2.3
Patient Review
6/17/2016
Azathioprine for Ulcerated Colon
2
Patient Review
6/3/2021
Azathioprine for Crohn's Disease
2
Patient Review
5/8/2015
Azathioprine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1.7
Patient Review
9/30/2015
Azathioprine for Myasthenia Gravis
1
Patient Review
8/9/2017
Azathioprine for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Patient Q&A Section about azathioprine
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is the drug azathioprine used for?
"Can you take azathioprine with other medications?
Azathioprine is used with other medications to prevent transplant rejection (attack of the transplanted organ by the immune system) in people who received kidney transplants."
Answered by AI
Is azathioprine a steroid?
"Azathioprine is not a steroid, and it is thought to be safer to take in the long term than steroids."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of taking azathioprine?
"The following are potential side effects of the medication: increased stomach irritation, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, changes in hair color and texture (along with hair loss), loss of appetite, blood in the urine or stool, unusual bruising, fatigue, development of mouth sores and ulcers."
Answered by AI
Is azathioprine like chemo?
"There are a few chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat rheumatic diseases. The three that are most widely used are Methotrexate, Azathioprine, and Cyclophosphamide. Methotrexate is the chemotherapy drug that is most often used to treat rheumatic diseases."
Answered by AI