Azathioprine

synonym

Azathioprinum

English: azathioprine

scope of application

Azathioprin® is a drug used to inhibit the body's immune system. Azathioprine therefore belongs to the class of immunosuppressants, precisely to the subclass of purine analogs.

Azathioprin® is mainly used to suppress the immune system after organ transplants in order to avoid rejection of the new organ by the body's own immune system. Azathioprin® is also used in various autoimmune diseases, i.e. diseases in which the immune system attacks the own body. That is why Azathioprin® is used for:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Lupus erythematosus
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• various forms of rheumatoid arthritis and
• Vasculitis

Azathioprin® is also used for various chronic inflammatory diseases. These include inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis as well as the systemic Behçet's disease. Azathioprin® is often used when cortisone no longer promises adequate treatment success.

Azathioprin® works by inhibiting DNA synthesis, which particularly affects cells that divide very often. These include, for example, the T cells and B cells of the immune system.

Dose and intake

Azathioprine® can both as tablet as well as one infusion administered intravenously. The dose of Azathioprin® is determined individually by the doctor and depends on how well the substance can be broken down in the body. So that the attending physician knows how well the substance is broken down in the body, an appropriate one should be given prior to therapy Laboratory examination be performed. Most often the patient will be approximately 2 - 2.5 mg Azathioprin® per kilogram of body weight administered. Since azathioprine is usually found in 25mg and 50mg tablets is administered, the doctor should determine in advance how many tablets must be taken per day and whether they may have to be halved beforehand.

Until Entry into effect of Azathioprin® it usually takes 12-20 weeks, which is why taking the tablets must not be stopped too early. Often, however, the patients notice an improvement after 4 - 8 weeks, but it can take up to six months for the symptoms to improve. Possibly at long absent Onset of action also one Dose increase should be considered by the attending physician.

Before starting therapy, the attending physician should be informed about all other medications that are currently being taken. It is particularly important to talk to the doctor Medication to inform the against increased uric acid and gout (for example Allopurinol) work, because Azathioprin® works particularly well with these drugs severe side effects can cause. While taking azathioprine should be on Vaccinations With Life vaccines dispensed with become. Since the Influenza vaccination is not a life vaccine, this is while you are taking azathioprine harmless.

Side effects

Azathioprine® like any other medication Side effects. Hence one is special close control necessary if Azathioprin® is taken for a long time so that any side effects can be recognized early.

It occurs most frequently during treatment with Azathioprine® Discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, for example nausea, Vomit and diarrhea. This can make it too Weight loss come.

In addition, these symptoms can occur:

• fever
• to cough
• Jaundice
• unfamiliar profuse bleeding gums and
• Blood in the stool

Black stools should also be reported directly to the attending physician. Bleeding in the skin and bruising for which no external cause is known can also occur. Azathioprine can also cause hair loss, joint pain, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

It is recommended to use Azathioprine® regularly during therapy Blood tests to carry out changes to the liver and at the kidney can be determined.

Azathioprin® can be used during pregnancy be used, because according to the current study situation no increased risk of malformation exists in the unborn child. During the Lactation should azathioprine though not used because it can be passed on to the child through breast milk to a small extent and the long-term consequences for the child cannot be foreseen here. The fertility Both men and women will benefit from therapy with Azathioprine® unaffected.

Furthermore increases through years of use from Azathioprine® for example after liver- or Kidney transplants the Skin cancer risk considerable.