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Brand name: Azathioprine (AN) TM
Active ingredients: azathioprine
What it is used for
Azathioprine is used as an immunosuppressant/antimetabolite either alone or, more commonly, in combination with the other agents (usually corticosteroids) and procedures which influence the immune response. Therapeutic effect may be evident only after weeks or months and can include a steroid sparing effect, thereby reducing the toxicity associated with high dosage and prolonged usage of corticosteroids. Azathioprine, in combination with corticosteroids and/or other immunosuppressive agents and procedures, is indicated in the management of patients receiving organ transplants. Azathioprine, either alone or more usually in combination with corticosteroids and/or other procedures, has been used with clinical benefit which may include reduction of dosage or discontinuation of corticosteroids, in a proportion of patients suffering from the following: Severe rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, pemphigus vulgaris, polyarteritis nodosa, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and chronic refractory idiopathic thromocytopenic purpura.
How to take it
The way to take this medicine is: Oral. This medicine is taken by mouth.
- Store below 30 degrees Celsius
- Protect from Moisture
- Protect from Light
- Shelf lifetime is 1 Years.
You should seek medical advice in relation to medicines and use only as directed by a healthcare professional.
Always read the label. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.
Visual appearance
A peach coloured, film coated, circular, biconvex tablet, engraved "AZA 25" on one face, the other face is plain.
Food interactions
For the active ingredient azathioprine
- Take with food to reduce irritation.
Do I need a prescription?
This medicine is available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
For the active ingredient azathioprine
You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.
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For side effects, taking other medicines and more
Download consumer medicine information leaflet (pdf) from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website
Reporting side effects
You can help ensure medicines are safe by reporting the side effects you experience.
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems
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Top results
Azathioprine - ACD
Azathioprine is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medication. It can be used to treat inflammatory conditions such as severe eczema.
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Immunosuppressants in Organ Transplantation | myVMC
Immunosuppressants are a class of drugs that suppress the immune response through various mechanisms
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
TPMT - Lab Tests Online AU
Why and when to get tested for TPMT
Read more on Lab Tests Online website
Idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) information | myVMC
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a blood disorder in which platelets do not plug blood vessels to prevent bleeding as they normally would.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Hidradenitis suppurativa - ACD
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a condition affecting apocrine sweat glandsthat are located mostly under the arms and in the groin and genital area.
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) - ACD
Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a relatively rare pregnancy dermatosis characterised by blisters
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Semen analysis - Lab Tests Online AU
Why and when to have semen analysed
Read more on Lab Tests Online website
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF; lung fibrosis) | myVMC
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or lung fibrosis is a respiratory disorder characterised by hardening of the lungs.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Myaesthenia gravis information | myVMC
Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids and double vision.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Pyoderma gangrenosum - ACD
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare cause of chronic, recurrent and painful non-infectious skin ulcers. It is classified as a neutrophilic dermatosis (skin disorder that has dense infiltration of inflammatory cells called neutrophils).
Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website
Top results
Azathioprine for treating rheumatoid arthritis | Cochrane
Azathioprine is a drug that suppresses the immune system. This review includes three trials with a total of 81 patients. Forty patients were given azathioprine and forty-one were given placebo. Patients taking azathioprine had lower tender joint scores when compared to patients taking placebo. Significantly more patients in the azathioprine group withdrew from the studies due to adverse reactions compared to patients in the placebo group.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine for the maintenance of surgically-induced remission in Crohns disease | Cochrane
Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine for the maintenance of surgically-induced remission in Crohns disease
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Azathioprine as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthma | Cochrane
Asthma can be treated with drugs that aim to reduce inflammation in the airways. Inhaled corticosteroids are frequently used, but occasionally individuals require oral steroids for adequate control. However, oral steroids are frequently associated with severe side-effects. Azathioprine has been suggested as a useful 'add-on' therapy to oral steroid treatment with the aim of reducing the dose requirement in such cases of severe asthma. The review found two small studies which did not provide adequate evidence as to whether azathioprine could be offered to reduce oral steroid treatment. There is a need for well-designed trials addressing this question before recommendations can be made.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
The effects of the immunosuppressive drug azathioprine (AZA) widely used in multiple sclerosis (MS) before the treatments with interferons or glatiramer acetate | Cochrane
The effects of the immunosuppressive drug azathioprine (AZA) widely used in multiple sclerosis (MS) before the treatments with interferons or glatiramer acetate
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis | Cochrane
Seven studies were reviewed and provide the best evidence we have. Study quality was mostly poor. The studies tested 302 people over the age of eighteen who had ulcerative colitis. The subjects received oral azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine, placebo (fake pills) or standard maintenance treatment (mesalazine or sulfasalazine). The studies lasted for at least 12 months.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
There is no evidence to support azathioprine for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis | Cochrane
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic disease of the liver that is characterised by destruction of bile ducts. Estimates of annual incidence range from 2 to 24 patients per million population, and estimates of prevalence range from 19 to 240 patients per million population. PBC primarily affects middle-aged women. The forecast for the symptomatic patient after diagnosis is between 10 and 15 years. The cause of PBC is unknown, but the dynamics of the disease resemble the group 'autoimmune disease'. Therefore, one might expect a noticeable effect of administering an immune repressing drug (immunosuppressant). This review evaluates all clinical data on the immunosuppressant azathioprine in relation to PBC.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Mycophenolic acid versus azathioprine as primary immunosuppression for kidney transplant recipients | Cochrane
After kidney transplantation, patients receive a combination of immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney. These regimens usually contain a calcineurin-inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin A), corticosteroids and an antiproliferative agent (mycophenolic acid (MPA), e.g. mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), or azathioprine (AZA)). MPA is considered to be of stronger immunosuppressive potency than AZA, but the benefits on survival of the graft and its safe use over a long period of time are insufficiently understood.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for the treatment of active Crohn's disease | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease | Cochrane
Crohn's disease is a long-term chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. When people with Crohn's disease are experiencing symptoms of the disease it is said to be active. Periods when the symptoms stop are called remission.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid for maintenance of surgically-induced remission in Crohns disease | Cochrane
Prevention of relapse is a key objective in the management of Crohns disease. There is no current treatment available that completely maintains remission and is without significant side-effects. 5-ASA (aminosalicylic acid) preparations have previously been shown to be ineffective in maintaining medically-induced remission of Crohn's disease. This review included nine studies. Seven studies compared 5-ASA drugs with placebo (inactive pills or tablets) and two studies compared 5-ASA drugs with antimetabolites (azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine). The results of this review suggest that 5-ASA preparations may provide a modest benefit for maintaining surgically-induced remission of Crohn's disease. The results of the review should be interpreted with caution due to methodological and statistical issues in the included studies. 5-ASA drugs are safe for patients with Crohn's disease. Side effects were generally mild in nature and typically included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dyspepsia (upset stomach or indigestion). There is insufficient evidence to allow any conclusions on how 5-ASA preparations compare with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. In conclusion, there is some evidence that suggests 5-ASA preparations may provide a modest benefit for the maintenance of surgically-induced remission in patients with Crohns disease.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
