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Azathioprine (Imuran)
Available: Injection
� 100 mg vial
Oral �
50 mg and 75 mg tablets
Cost: 50 mg tablets,
#60 = $127.43
Dose: Usually begins
at 50-100 mg/day, but may be dosed as high as 2.5 mg/kg/day
Indications:
Treating moderate to severe complications of lupus, myositis,
vasculitis, or other rheumatic diseases
Side effects:
Stomach upset is the most common side effect, but less
commonly azathioprine can affect the bone marrow, causing low
white blood cell counts or anemia. Resistance to infection is
decreased as well. Elevated liver enzymes may occur less
commonly, and rarely this medication can induce pancreatitis.
There is a potential for an increased risk of developing
certain kinds of cancers, but the magnitude of this risk is
not defined and appears to be fairly small with standard
doses.
Important points to know:
This medication needs to be used at 1/4 the
dose, or possibly not at all, in patients taking allopurinol
due to an interaction with this drug. Interactions may
also occur with certain blood pressure medications known as
ACE inhibitors. Taking this medication with food may
minimize upset stomach.
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