imuran

It is important that each dose of this medication is given as scheduled. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule.

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional, usually once or twice daily as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time(s) each day. For arthritis, it may take up to 2 months of continued use to notice relief of symptoms. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after 3 months of treatment.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: febuxostat, mercaptopurine, natalizumab, past or present use of alkylating-type cancer drugs (e.g., chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, melphalan). If you are currently using or have used any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting azathioprine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: ACE inhibitors (e.g., benazepril, lisinopril), allopurinol, aminosalicylates (e.g., mesalamine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine), "blood thinners" (e.g., enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin), drugs affecting the bone marrow (e.g., trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cancer chemotherapy drugs). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, liver and kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. If you have had an organ transplant, it is recommended that you attend a transplant education class or support group. Learn the signs of organ rejection such as tenderness around the transplanted organ, a feeling of being ill, or fever. Signs of a failing kidney transplant include a decrease in the amount of urine, swelling arms/legs/face, trouble breathing, or increase in blood pressure. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before using azathioprine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, blood disorders, decreased bone marrow function, cancer, current infections, a certain enzyme disorder (TPMT deficiency). Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received polio vaccine by mouth or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. Since this medication can increase your risk of developing serious infections, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Avoid contact with people who have illnesses that may spread to others (e.g., flu, chickenpox). To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like safety razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, the elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. It is recommended that men and women use 2 effective forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pills) while using this medication. However, this medication can decrease the effectiveness of intrauterine devices (IUDs). This effect can result in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about other effective birth control choices. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

See also Warning section. Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended. Stomach/intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite may occur. These symptoms may be reduced by giving the medication after a meal or in divided doses. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Although unlikely, more severe stomach/intestinal symptoms (e.g., severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, stomach/abdominal pain) may occur as part of a very serious allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical attention if you have severe stomach/intestinal symptoms or other symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, which may include: fever, severe chills, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing, cough, new or worsening joint/muscle aches, dark urine. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle weakness, vision changes, cold/numbness in the fingers, mouth sores, difficult/painful swallowing, greasy stools. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes/skin, swelling/extra fluid around the abdomen, vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, black stools. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to prevent rejection of other transplanted organs, to treat a certain type of bowel condition (Crohn's disease) that is not responsive to usual treatment, and to treat other immune system problems (autoimmune diseases) as determined by your doctor.

Long-term use of azathioprine may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer (e.g., skin cancer, lymphoma). You must be closely monitored by your doctor during treatment and regularly afterwards if your doctor stops treatment with this medication. Azathioprine may also cause serious (rarely fatal) blood disorders (decreased bone marrow function leading to anemia, low number of white blood cells and platelets). It can lower your body's ability to fight an infection. The risk of these side effects is higher in patients receiving this medication to prevent kidney transplant rejection than in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis. To reduce the risk of side effects, use this medication at the lowest effective dose. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following signs: unusual skin changes, change in the appearance/size of moles, unusual growths/lumps, swollen glands, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, unexplained itching, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, or unusual tiredness.