Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive drug. This means it suppresses your body immune defense. In patients with Crohn's disease this suppression helps to reduce inflammations and also helps them to maintain remission avoiding regular flare ups. Azathioprine is available in tablet and injectable form and is used as a steroid sparing agent, which means that patients who depends on steroids but have experienced steroid side effects, or for whom steroids no longer work can use this medication.
Azathioprine is also used for treatment of active Crohn's disease, for maintenance of remission, as therapy for perforating disease (fistulae), and for specific extra intestinal manifestations. This medication is also used to treat patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded to other medications. It is a safe and effective drug used alone in certain autoimmune diseases, or in combination with other immunosuppressants in organ transplantation.
DISEASE
Azathioprine Side effects
Any immunosuppressive drug comes with side effects. This drug may cause birth defects if either a male or the female is using it at the time of conception. Azathioprine is absolutely contraindicated (should never be used) in patients who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or who have serious active infections. Patients taking this medication while pregnant have an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight and miscarriage. It is advised you speak to your doctor if you get pregnant while taking this medication.
Other common adverse effects could be rash, severe diarrhoea, and bone marrow depression. Patients with Crohn's disease have experienced adverse effects that sometimes its required to withdraw treatment. Its advised to notify your doctor at the first sign of fever, chills, or a sore throat.
Drugs such as vaccines and allopurinol should be avoided while taking azathioprine. Because azsthioprine reduces the effects of the immune system, patients should avoid taking any form of vaccination or else they end up being infected with the disease they are trying to avoid.
Azathioprine produces chromosomal abnormalities. It antagonizes purine metabolism and may inhibit synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. It may also interfere with cellular metabolism and inhibit mitosis.
Azathioprine and Crohn's Disease DISEASE
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