Azathioprine
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Azathioprine is used with other drugs to prevent rejection of kidney
transplants. It also is used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this Azathioprine be used?
Azathioprine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Follow the directions
on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any
part you do not understand. Take azathioprine exactly as directed. Do not take more or
less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking
aziothioprine for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, you may not experience improvement for
6-8 weeks.
Other uses for Azathioprine
Aziothioprine also is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking azathioprine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to azathioprine or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially allopurinol (Zyloprim), benzepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten),
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril
(Zestril), methotrexate, quinipril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), warfarin (Coumadin), and
vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking azathioprine, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking azathioprine.
What side effects can this Azathioprine cause?
Although side effects from azathioprine are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- loss of appetite
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- joint pain
- cold hands and feet
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- sore throat
- fever
- chills
- mouth sores
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- blood in urine
- bloody or dark, tarry stools
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- skin rash
- shortness of breath
- fast heartbeat
- vision changes
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