Azathioprine

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant that suppresses cellular immunity. It is available in tablet or capsule form, usually in packs of 50. It is available with a doctor's prescription.

Composition and form of release

Tablets

• Active ingredient: azathioprine 50 mg.
• Excipients: gelatin, potato starch, lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, calcium stearate.
• Description: light yellow or light yellow with a greenish tint, round, flat, with a bevel.

Capsules

• Active ingredient: azathioprine 50 mg.
• Excipients: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, calcium stearate, crospovidone, gelatin.
• Description: hard gelatin capsules No. 2, white in color with a yellow cap. Inside, there is a mixture of powder and granules of light yellow or light yellow with a greenish tint.

Pharmacological action

Azathioprine belongs to the immunosuppressants and antimetabolites. It blocks cell division and tissue proliferation, especially delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and cellular cytotoxicity, by suppressing tissue incompatibility. Antibody synthesis is suppressed to a lesser extent.

Indications for use

• Prevention of transplant rejection (as part of combined therapy).
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Chronic active hepatitis.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Nonspecific ulcerative colitis.
• Dermatomyositis.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
• Pemphigus vulgaris.
• Autoimmune glomerulonephritis.
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
• Psoriasis.

The drug can also be used for other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as prescribed by a doctor.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to azathioprine or its components, as well as to 6-mercaptopurine.
• Hematopoietic suppression (hypoplastic or aplastic anemia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia).
• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
• Children under 3 years of age.

Side effects

• Hematopoiesis: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, secondary infections, megaloblastic erythropoiesis, macrocytosis, and, in rare cases, hemolytic anemia.
• Digestive system: nausea, vomiting, anorexia, cholestatic hepatitis. Transplant recipients may experience pancreatitis, gastrointestinal erosions and ulcers, bleeding, intestinal necrosis, and perforation.
• Allergies: skin rash, arthralgia, myalgia, and drug fever.
• Other: rare cases of acute renal failure, pulmonary diseases, and meningeal reactions.