Azathioprine
Also sold as: Imuran, Azoran
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your specialist, usually 1 to 3 mg per kg body weight a day after food. Regular blood tests are needed.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- tiredness
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- sore throat
- fever or signs of infection
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- severe stomach pain
- yellow eyes or skin
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Taking allopurinol or febuxostat (dangerous unless the doctor adjusts doses)
- Live vaccines during treatment
- Active serious infection or low blood counts
- Pregnancy (only if a specialist decides)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Allopurinol
Allopurinol greatly raises azathioprine levels and can cause severe bone marrow damage.
- Febuxostat
Febuxostat greatly raises azathioprine levels; do not use together.
Moderate4 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Co-trimoxazole
Together they increase the risk of low blood counts.
- Mesalazine
Mesalazine can increase the risk of low blood counts with azathioprine; blood tests are needed.
- Sulfasalazine
Together they increase the risk of low blood counts; blood tests are needed.
- Warfarin
Azathioprine can reduce the effect of warfarin; INR should be checked.