Azathioprine

Renal Homotransplantation The dose of azathioprine tablets required to prevent rejection and minimize toxicity will vary with individual patients; this necessitates careful management. The initial dose is usually 3 to 5 mg/kg daily, beginning at the time of transplant. Azathioprine tablets are usually given as a single daily dose on the day of, and in a minority of cases 1 to 3 days before, transplantation.

Directions from the U.S. FDA-approved label — your doctor or pharmacist may advise differently.

Azathioprine tablets should not be given to patients who have shown hypersensitivity to the drug. Azathioprine tablets should not be used for treating rheumatoid arthritis in pregnant women. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis previously treated with alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, or others) may have a prohibitive risk of malignancy if treated with azathioprine tablets.

Excerpt from the U.S. FDA-approved label. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before use.

Malignancy Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including azathioprine, are at increased risk of developing lymphoma and other malignancies, particularly of the skin. Physicians should inform patients of the risk of malignancy with azathioprine. As usual for patients with increased risk for skin cancer, exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor. Post-transplant Renal transplant patients are known to have an increased risk of malignancy, predominantly skin cancer and reticulum cell or lymphomatous tumors.

Warnings and precautions excerpt from the U.S. FDA-approved label — not a complete list. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before use.

The principal and potentially serious toxic effects of azathioprine tablets are hematologic and gastrointestinal. The risks of secondary infection and malignancy are also significant (see WARNINGS ). The frequency and severity of adverse reactions depend on the dose and duration of azathioprine tablets as well as on the patient’s underlying disease or concomitant therapies.

Excerpt from the U.S. FDA-approved label — not a complete list. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor about side effects.

55 products from 51 makers in the NepalDoc medicine catalog use this generic:

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Brand list from the NepalDoc medicine catalog. Availability varies by pharmacy — call ahead to confirm stock.

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

Storage information from the U.S. FDA-approved label.