Imuran 50 mg

Generic Name: Azathioprine

Imuran contains azathioprine, which is an immunosuppressant. It is used to prevent rejection of kidney transplants, in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, chronic active hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, periarteritis nodosa, acquired hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, gangrenous pyoderma, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus (a chronic blistering skin disease), Reiter's syndrome (autoimmune condition that is caused by an infection in another part of the body), radiation dermatitis.

Dosage and Direction
Take Imuran with food. The dose is administered individually for different conditions. Follow all instructions of your physician. Do not take more than one dose of Imuran at once.

Precautions
Do not stop taking this drug even if you do not feel improvement. Its effects may develop in several days or weeks. If you did not feel improvement of you symptoms after three months of treatment inform your doctor. The high risk of a draft rejection may remain even after several years of treatment. Blood tests for blood cell count should be exercised on a regular basis: each weak during first eight weeks of treatment. Avoid exposure to sun rays for a long time as this drug is able to increase risk of cancer. Regular examination of skin should be done. Patients with system diseases of joint tissues should not stop treatment without permission of a doctor not to provoke aggravation of their condition. This medication may decrease immunity status of unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Notify your doctor if you plan to be operated, have a fever, body aches, weakness, muscle pain, chills, sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding, mouth sores, severe nausea, vomiting, pale stools, darkened urine, and diarrhea.

Side Effects
Adverse reaction to Imuran mostly concern blood and gastrointestinal system. White blood cell count may decrease causing the increased risk of infection development. This effect most reverses when the dose is reduced or temporary discontinued. Nausea and vomiting caused by Imuran mostly disappear when its dose is diminished or divided in several intakes. In the patients with rheumatoid arthritis liver toxicity may develop. Other less common side effects include hair loss, joint pains, fatigue, and diarrhea.