Maximum serum radioactivity occurs at 1 to 2 hours after oral 35 S-azathioprine and decays with a half-life of 5 hours. Therapy with azathioprine should be administered cautiously in patients with bone marrow depression. Treatment depends upon the type of ulcerative colitis diagnosed.What is ulcerative colitis and what risks are associated with suffering over the long term? Some MS symptoms can be treated with medications.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. 16. Different forms of MS can follow variable courses from relatively benign to life-threatening. The principal and potentially serious toxic effects of AZASAN® (azathioprine) are hematologic and gastrointestinal.The risks of secondary infection and neoplasia are also significant (see WARNINGS).The frequency and severity of adverse reactions depend on the dose and duration of AZASAN® (azathioprine) as well as on the patient's … If the TPMT result is very low, azathioprine may not be the right medication for you, and your doctor will discuss other treatment options. Myasthenic crisis is when the muscles that control breathing weaken, which requires immediate medical attention. Chest 83 (1983): 696-894. Br Med J 291 (1985): 70686. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Leukopenia (less than 2500/mm3 [2.5 x 10(9)/L]) has been reported in 16% of renal homograft recipients and 5.3% of rheumatoid arthritis patients.There are data to support an increased risk of bone marrow aplasia in patients with very low or absent thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity. Dig Dis Sci 29 (1984): 78-8037. Keep using azathioprine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 12 weeks of use.Take with food if azathioprine upsets your stomach.You may not be able to continue taking other arthritis medications together with azathioprine.

The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. Take this Ulcerative Colitis Quiz to learn causes, symptoms, and treatments for this painful digestive disorder.GENERIC NAME: AZATHIOPRINE - ORAL (ay-za-THYE-oh-preen) All rights reserved. DePinho RA, Goldberg CS, Lefkowitch JH "Azathioprine and the liver: evidence favoring idiosyncratic, mixed cholestatic-hepatocellular injury in humans." Major GA, Moore PG "Profound circulatory collapse due to azathioprine." Jeurissen ME, Boerbooms AM, van de Putte LB, Kruijsen MW "Azathioprine induced fever, chills, rash, and hepatotoxicity in rheumatoid arthritis." Medications are also available to treat dry eye and dry mouth.Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease.

Gastroenterology 122 (2002): 72-7752. Tage-Jensen U, Schlichting P, Thomsen HF, et al "Malignancies following long-term azathioprine treatment in chronic liver disease." Farge D, Parfrey PS, Forbes RD, Dandavino R, Guttmann RD "Reduction of azathioprine in renal transplant patients with chronic hepatitis." Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Risk of secondary infection and malignancy is also significant. Ann Intern Med 104 (1986): 651-566. Hepatology 14 (1991): 806-1069. Transplantation 47 (1989): 293-643. Concurrent manifestations of azathioprine hypersensitivity." What does Azathioprine look like? Hepatotoxicity is often manifest as cholestasis and/or acute focal hepatocellular necrosis, and is generally reversible following discontinuation of azathioprine therapy. Transplantation 41 (1986): 55-955. erythematosus (SLE).Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Clin Exp Dermatol 20 (1995): 353-676. The display and use of drug information on this site is subject to express terms of use.

Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) and the Adverse Drug Reactions Unit of the TGA "Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin.

Nephron 51 (1989): 509-1656. Ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn's disease, and together they are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Lancet 342 (1993): 1245-622. Arthritis Rheum 38 (1995): 142-515. 1975; 28:87-99. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Agarwal SK, Mittal D, Tiwari SC, Dash SC, Saxena S, Saxena R, Mehta SN "Azathioprine-induced pure red blood cell aplasia in a renal transplant recipient." Or R, Kleinman Y, Chajek-Shaul T "Azathioprine and urinary bladder tumor." Lancet 1 (1980): 927-824. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." Transplantation 68 (1999): 976-8060. Cooper C, Minihane N, Cotton DW, Cawley MI "Azathioprine hypersensitivity manifesting as acute focal hepatocellular necrosis." This damage results in symptoms that may include numbness, weakness, vertigo, paralysis, and involuntary muscle contractions. TPMT helps to break down and remove azathioprine from the body. J R Soc Med 85 (1992): 752-64. O 021. Treat Guidel Med Lett 7 (2009): 37-4618. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Br Med J 283 (1981): 154830. Azathioprine may cause severe leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, macrocytic anemia, severe bone marrow depression and, rarely, pure red cell aplasia. Krowka MJ, Breuer RI, Kehoe TJ "Azathioprine-associated pulmonary dysfunction." Lancet 343 (1994): 1249-5244.

Cox J, Daneshmend TK, Hawkey CJ, Logan RF, Walt RP "Devastating diarrhoea caused by azathioprine: management difficulty in inflammatory bowel disease." Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

"Drugs for rheumatoid arthritis." Sterneck M, Wiesner R, Ascher N, et al "Azathioprine hepatotoxicity after liver transplantation." Speerstra F, Boerbooms AM, van de Putte LB, et al "Side-effects of azathioprine treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of 10 years of experience." Ann Rheum Dis 49 (1990): 25-762.