Imuran – Azathioprine 50mg Tablets

ABOUT IMURAN

Imuran 50mg is an antimetabolite. It works by decreasing the effects of certain cells in the body’s immune system.

MEDICINE USES :

GSK Azathioprine 50mg is used with other medications to prevent rejection of a kidney transplant. It works by weakening your body’s defense system (immune system) to help your body accept the new kidney as if it were your own. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants.

Azathioprine is also used to treat patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded to other medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs such as ibuprofen)

IMURAN AZATHIOPRINE SIDE EFFECTS :

    mild upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
    hair loss; or
    skin rash.

Stop using Azathioprine and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of lymphoma:

    fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness;
    feeling full after eating only a small amount;
    pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder; or
    easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

IMURAN AZATHIOPRINE 50 MG TABLETS Precautions :

    Imuran may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
    Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are taking Imuran.
    Imuran may increase your risk of developing a tumor or other cancer. Contact your doctor at once if you notice any unusual growths or lumps.
    Lab tests, including complete blood counts, liver function, and TPMT enzyme activity, may be performed while you use Imuran. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
    Azathioprine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and efficacy in children have not been confirmed.
    PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: This medication has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Azathioprine while you are pregnant. It is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider for more information.

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS :

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Store in a dry place and protect from light.

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

    Alkylating agents (eg, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan) or TNF blockers (eg, certolizumab, etanercept) because the risk of developing certain types of cancer may be increased
    Mercaptopurine because the risk of severe toxic effects, including severe bone marrow suppression or death, may be increased
    Allopurinol, aminosalicylates (eg, mesalazine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), doxorubicin, febuxostat, ribavirin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole because they may increase the risk of Azathioprine’s side effects
    Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Azathioprine

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.