Azathioprine Sodium (azathioprine sodium)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Azathioprine, a chemical analog of the physiologic purines adenine, guanine, and hypoxanthine, is a purine antagonist antimetabolite and an immunosuppressive agent.
USES: Azathioprine is used to prevent organ rejection in people who have received a kidney transplant. It is usually used along with other medications to allow your new kidney to function normally. Azathioprine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
In this condition, the body's defense system (immune system) attacks healthy joints. Azathioprine belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. It works by weakening the immune system to help your body accept the new kidney as if it were your own (in the case of an organ transplant) or to prevent further damage to your joints (in the case of rheumatoid arthritis).
This medication is given by injection until you are able to take azathioprine by mouth. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of azathioprine, especially when used by children and young adults.
Generic name: azathioprine sodium
Pronunciation: (AY-za-THYE-oh-preen)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Azathioprine Sodium
Indications
The following indications are listed for Azathioprine Sodium:
- Prevention Of Kidney Transplant Rejection
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Also known as: Arthritis Deformans, Arthrosis Deformans, Kidney Transplant Rejection Prophylaxis, Nodose Rheumatism, Renal Transplant Rejection Prophylaxis, Rheumatic Arthritis, Rheumatic Gout.
Dosing
Dosage of azathioprine must be carefully adjusted and individualized according to the patient's response and tolerance. Dosage may need to be reduced in patients with impaired renal function. (See Cautions: Precautions and Contraindications.) Dosage of azathioprine sodium is expressed in terms of azathioprine. Azathioprine may be given as a single daily dose or in divided doses.
The manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that thiopurine methyl transferase (TPMT) phenotype or genotype be determined prior to initiation of azathioprine therapy, since risk of hematologic toxicity may be increased in patients with intermediate, low, or absent activity of the enzyme and decreased dosage or alternative therapy should be considered in these individuals. (See Pharmacokinetics: Elimination and see Cautions: Precautions and Contraindications.)
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
Azathioprine is teratogenic in rabbits and mice when given in dosages equivalent to the human dosage (5 mg/kg daily). Abnormalities included skeletal malformations and visceral anomalies.
Azathioprine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Limited immunologic and other abnormalities have occurred in some infants born to renal transplant recipients who received azathioprine. Lymphopenia, decreased IgG and IgM concentrations, cytomegalovirus infection, and a decreased thymic shadow were observed in one infant whose mother had received 150 mg of azathioprine and 30 mg of prednisone daily throughout pregnancy; most of these findings had apparently normalized by 10 weeks of age. Pancytopenia and severe immunodeficiency were reported in a premature infant whose mother received 125 mg of azathioprine and 12.5 mg of prednisone throughout pregnancy. Preaxial polydactyly was observed in one infant whose mother received 200 mg of azathioprine daily and 20 mg of prednisone every other day during pregnancy, while a large myelomeningocele in the upper lumbar region and bilateral lower limb deformities were reported in another infant whose father was receiving long-term azathioprine therapy. Azathioprine should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks; whenever possible, use of the drug during pregnancy should be avoided. If azathioprine is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking the drug, the patient should be informed about the potential hazard to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant. The manufacturer states that azathioprine should not be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in pregnant women. Some clinicians state that, because of the potential for carcinogenesis and unknown long-term effects on fetal immunosuppression, use of azathioprine in pregnancy should be limited to women with severe or life-threatening rheumatoid arthritis. If azathioprine is administered during pregnancy, serious neonatal leukopenia and thrombocytopenia may be prevented by reducing the azathioprine dosage at 32 weeks' gestation; close prenatal monitoring for growth and long-term follow-up of offspring are essential.
Azathioprine or its metabolites are distributed into milk. Because of the potential for tumorigenicity associated with the drug, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
Search health-plan coverage for this drug by ZIP code.
Choose the first character of a health plan name.
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
On this page
Actions
Sign in to save favorites
Saving this drug requires a free Physicians Office Resource account.