Imuran, also known as Azathioprine, is appreciated and required among patients who have undergone transplantation. The medication lowers the immune system of the organism that prevents transplant rejection. While the immune system helps people to fight bacteria, Imuran is aimed at the decrease of this function. Since the organism can treat a transplanted kidney or liver as an invader, such medication is indispensable for its successful adaptation. Besides, the medication is sometimes used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may prescribe Azathioprine for other conditions, not mentioned in the safety leaflet.
Recommendations
Numerous tests are required before the treatment course to make sure the drug is safe for other body organs and functions. Follow all the doctor’s recommendations while using Azathioprine. Never increase or decrease a prescribed dose, as it may lead to devastating side effects. Your healthcare provider may change the administered dose for you to get the best results. Never take Imuran for longer than necessary, as it will not guarantee a better effect, though is sure to provoke complications. Azathioprine is reported to lower blood cells, which means you can experience easier bleeding even after a small scratch. On average, the first improvements become vivid after around 8 weeks of intensive treatment course. However, do not stop administering the drug if you wish to get complete healing.
Once you have missed Azathioprine dose, skip it in case the following one should be used soon. However, never increase or double the next scheduled dose to warn drug overuse and its undesirable consequences.
Precautions and Contraindications
The vital step one should take before the beginning of Azathioprine treatment course is consulting a healthcare provider. Mention all the health problems you have for the doctor to adjust proper dose and duration of the treatment course. Provide a full list of diseases and health disorders you have, paying special attention to liver and kidney problems, bacterial, viral or fungal infections, kidney transplant and other issues.
Do not start Imuran intake if you are allergic to its active ingredients or similar medications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not commonly advised to administer Azathioprine due to the possible harmful impact the medicine may produce on the organism of unborn or nursing babies.
Interactions
As any other medication, Imuran interacts with a range of other medications. That is why, it is inevitable to mention all the treatments you are currently taking to eliminate possible risks of negative interactions. A full list of prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, vitamins and other supplements will be provided by a physician. However, keep in mind that blood pressure medicines, allopurinol and blood thinners cannot be combined with Azathioprine.
Side Effects
Imuran is an effective medication that is approved to be safe and reliable. Nevertheless, medicine misuse and overuse can cause multiple minor and severe side effects. Nausea, headache, skin rash, hair loss, upset stomach and a few others serve as minor Azathioprine complications that are expected to disappear in a couple of days. However, seek emergency medical help if you have got more severe abnormalities, including allergic reactions, fever, pale skin, fatigue, sudden weight loss, severe stomach pain and others