TabletsClinical Overview
Azathioprine Tablets (50 mg) is an oral imidazolyl derivative prodrug of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. It is non-enzymatically cleaved by glutathione into 6-MP, which is intracellularly converted to 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN). 6-TGN incorporates into replicating DNA, causing chain termination, and inhibits de novo purine synthesis, suppressing clonal expansion of T- and B-lymphocytes. Indicated as an adjunct for prevention of rejection in renal allotransplantation and severe rheumatoid arthritis, lupus nephritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and autoimmune hepatitis.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Verified Clinical References
Usage Guidelines
Take orally 1 mg to 3 mg/kg daily as a single dose or two divided doses with or after meals with water to reduce gastric irritation. Prior to therapy, consider testing for Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and NUDT15 genotype or activity.
General Administration Advice: Adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage, frequency, and treatment course. For oral medications, swallow with sufficient water. Never stop antibiotics, psychiatric medications, or antihypertensives abruptly without clinical direction.
Possible Side Effects
Common: Dose-dependent bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), nausea, vomiting, anorexia, hepatotoxicity (elevated transaminases/cholestasis). Rare/Severe: Fatal pancytopenia in TPMT/NUDT15 deficient patients, acute pancreatitis, severe infections, and secondary malignancies (lymphoma).
*Note: Individual physiological responses vary. While many patients experience few or no side effects, notify your treating physician if adverse reactions persist or if hypersensitivity (angioedema, skin rash, dyspnea) occurs.
Precautions & Warnings
Black Box Warning: Chronic immunosuppression increases risk of malignancy, particularly lymphomas and non-melanoma skin cancer. Black Box Warning: Severe bone marrow suppression; monitor complete blood counts weekly during initial months. MAJOR DRUG INTERACTION: Co-administration with allopurinol or febuxostat (xanthine oxidase inhibitors) blocks 6-MP degradation, causing lethal bone marrow aplasia; if combination is unavoidable, reduce azathioprine dose to 25-33% of standard dose.
Schedule H (Prescription Required)
This medication is scheduled under statutory drug regulatory frameworks (CDSCO / Drugs & Cosmetics Rules). Dispensing requires a valid medical prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Self-medication or unsupervised dosage adjustment carries significant clinical risks.
Medical Disclaimer: Statutory Clinical Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and price-transparency purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, oncological diagnosis, or chemotherapy protocol guidance. Cancer therapies require specialized administration under the direct supervision of a registered medical oncologist in an accredited healthcare facility.