Azathioprine
What is Azathioprine?
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive medication used to treat certain autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other inflammatory conditions (1)(5)(6). It suppresses the immune system by interfering with the creation of DNA molecules, which helps to reduce inflammation and prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissues (1). Azathioprine is available only with a doctor's prescription and is sold under the brand names Imuran and Azasan (1)(2)(4).
Dosage
The dosage of Azathioprine varies depending on the condition being treated and the patient's weight (1)(5)(6). The standard dose for rheumatoid arthritis is 50-150 mg per day, administered orally once or divided twice daily (1). A benefit in arthritis or other conditions may appear as early as 6-8 weeks. It may take up to 12 weeks to notice a full effect (1).
Side Effects
Common side effects of Azathioprine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite (1)(4)(5)(6). These side effects are usually mild and go away after a few days. Rarely, Azathioprine can cause serious side effects such as bone marrow suppression, liver toxicity, and increased risk of infection (1)(4)(5)(6).
Interactions
Azathioprine can interact with other medications, including the gout medication allopurinol, warfarin, some blood pressure medications, and sulfasalazine, which can potentially cause serious problems (1)(5). Prior consultation with a medical expert is recommended before combining Azathioprine with other drugs or supplements.
Time of Day and With or Without Food
Azathioprine can be taken with or without food (2)(5).
Human Studies
Azathioprine has been extensively studied in humans and has been shown to be effective in treating various autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, and rheumatoid arthritis (1)(5)(6). It is generally well-tolerated, and its side effects are usually mild and go away after a few days (1)(4)(5)(6).
To summarize, Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive medication used to treat certain autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other inflammatory conditions. The dosage varies depending on the condition being treated and the patient's weight. Azathioprine has been extensively studied in humans and has been shown to be effective in treating various conditions. Its side effects are usually mild and go away after a few days, and it can interact with other medications, including allopurinol, warfarin, some blood pressure medications, and sulfasalazine.
Citations:
(1) https://rheumatology.org/patients/azathioprine-imuran
(2) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/azathioprine-oral-route/description/drg-20067180
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542190/
(4) https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-13771/azathioprine-oral/details
(5) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/9407-azathioprine
(6) https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682167.html