AZATHIOPRINE

Brand & Generic Names

>Habit forming? No
>Prescription needed? Yes
>Available as generic? Yes
>Drug class: Immunosuppressan	t, antirheumatic

Basic Information

• Protects against rejection of transplanted organs (e.g., kidney, heart).
• Treats severe active rheumatoid arthritis and other immunologic diseases if simpler treatment plans have been ineffective.

Uses

How to take: Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. -------------- When to take: Follow your doctor's instructions. Usually once a day. --------------------- If you forget a dose: Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose). -------------- What drug does: Unknown; probably inhibits synthesis of DNA and RNA. ---------------------------- Time lapse before drug works: 6 to 8 weeks. ----------------- Don't take with: Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor.

Dosage & Usage Information

SYMPTOMS:
None expected. WHAT TO DO: Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO ----------------------------------------------------------- Life-threatening:
Rapid heart rate, Seek emergency treatment sudden fever, muscle or immediately. joint pain, cough, shortness of breath. -------- Common: >Infection or low blood Discontinue. Call doctor right count causing fever and away. chills, back pain, cough, painful urination; anemia (tiredness or weakness); nausea; vomiting. >Appetite loss. Continue. Call doctor when convenient. ------------ Infrequent: Jaundice (yellow eyes, Discontinue. Call doctor skin), skin rash. right away. ------------ Rare: Low platelet count causing Discontinue. Call doctor right bleeding or bruising, away. tarry or black stools, bloody urine, red spots under skin; severe abdominal pain; mouth sores.

WHAT TO DO:

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have gout.
• If you have liver or kidney
• If you have an infection.

Over age 60:

Adverse reactions and side ef severe than in younger person shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:

Risk to unborn child outweigh

Breast-feeding:

Drug passes into milk. Avoid you finish medicine. Consult milk supply.

Infants & children:

No special problems expected.

Prolonged use:

• May increase likelihood of
• Talk to your doctor about t examinations or laboratory st liver function, electrolytes pressure and complete blood c count, red blood cell count, during first two months, then

Skin & sunlight:

No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:

Avoid if you feel confused, d

Discontinuing:

May still experience symptoms as: blood in stools, fever or skin, back pain, hoarseness, occur, call your doctor right

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentis this medicine.
• May affect results in some

Warnings & Precautions

GENERIC NAME COMBINED EFFECT OR DRUG CLASS

Allopurinol Greatly increased azathioprine activity. Clozapine Toxic effect on bone marrow. Didanosine Increased risk of pancreatitis. Immunosuppressants, Higher risk of developing infection other* or malignancies. Levamisole Increased risk of bone marrow depression. Tiopronin Increased risk of toxicity to bone marrow. Vaccines May decrease effectiveness or cause disease itself.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	No special problems expected.
Beverages:	No special problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances