Azathioprine

Description

Azathioprine belongs to the group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It is used to reduce the body's natural immunity in patients who receive organ transplants. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Azathioprine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Azathioprine is a very strong medicine. You and your doctor should talk about the need for this medicine and its risks. Even though azathioprine may cause side effects that could be very serious, remember that it may be required to treat your medical problem.

Azathioprine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, azathioprine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• Bowel disease, inflammatory
• Cirrhosis, biliary
• Dermatomyositis, systemic
• Glomerulonephritis
• Hepatitis, chronic active
• Lupus erythematosus, systemic
• Myasthenia gravis
• Myopathy, inflammatory
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Pemphigoid
• Pemphigus

Common Brand Names:

Azasan

Imuran