• Prophylaxis of kidney transplant rejection:
    • Initially PO/IV 3-5 mg/kg/day, 1-3 days before transplant
  • Severe rheumatoid arthritis
    • Initially PO 1mg/kg/day divided OD/BD
    • Max: 2.5mg/kg/day
    • After 6-8 weeks may increase 0.5mg/kg/day every 4 weeks
  • Crohn’s disease (Off-label):
    • 100-250mg OD.
    • Max: 2.5mg/kg/day
  • Ulcerative colitis (Off-label):
    • 100-250mg OD.
    • Max: 2.5mg/kg/day

Tablet:

  • 50mg

None remarkable

Purine antimetabolite, converted to 6-MP

It is thought to inhibit synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins. It interferes with cellular metabolism and may inhibit mitosis

  • Leukopenia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Anemia
  • Infection
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Diarrhea
  • Elevated ALT/AST
  • Malaise
  • Myalgia
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Neoplasm
  • Hypersensitivity to class/compound
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Rheumatoid arthritis in patients previously treated with alkylating agents

WARNING

  • Chronic immunosuppression with this purine antimetabolite increases neoplasia and mutagenic risk and hematologic toxicities
  • Reported malignancies in patients with IBD
  • Febuxostat
  • Live vaccines

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category D
Breastfeeding Not recommended
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Azioprin 50mg Tablet 60’s Metro Pharma Metro Pharma
Azoran 50mg Tablet 100’s RPG Life Sciences Pharma Specialities
Imuran 50mg Tablet 100’s GSK Ltd GSK Ltd