INDICATIONS
Imuran is employed to prevent rejection of your transplanted kidney. It belongs to the gang of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. Azathioprine will lower the human body's natural immunity in patients who receive transplants to stop rejection of the new kidney. It is also used to relieve joint pain and swelling for patients with arthritis rheumatoid.
INSTRUCTIONS
Use this medicine just as directed through your doctor. Do not take more of it, or a lesser amount of it, than your medical professional ordered. Taking too much could raise the possibility of uncomfortable side effects, and taking too little will not help your condition.
This medicine is sometimes given together with other medicines. If you are utilizing several medicines together, make sure you realize how to take them during the day. Ask your doctor that will help you plan a way to make sure you take your medicines on the right times.
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your medical professional.
Imuran sometimes causes nausea or vomiting. Taking this medicine after meals or at bedtime may lessen stomach upset. Talk to your doctor for those who have questions or continue to have problems with nausea or vomiting.
If you miss a dose of the medicine, take it immediately. However, whether it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your family dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
DOSAGE
The dose on this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your physician's orders or perhaps the directions on the label. The following information includes merely the average doses on this medicine. If your dose differs from the others, tend not to change it out unless a medical expert notifys you for this.
The amount of medicine that you simply take depends around the strength of the medicine. Also, the amount of doses you're taking on a daily basis, some time allowed between doses, and the length of time you are taking the medicine depend on the disease you simply are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
For kidney transplant rejection:
For rheumatoid arthritis:
STORAGE
Store the medicine in a very closed container at room temperature, from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out with the reach of youngsters.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your medical practioner how you should dispose of any medicine you usually do not use.
Along with its needed effects, medicine could potentially cause some unwanted effects. Although not these unwanted effects may occur, should they happen they will often need medical help.
Check with your medical professional immediately if any from the following negative effects occur:
More common
Rare
Incidence mysterious
Some unwanted effects may occur that usually don't need medical attention. These unwanted effects may go away during treatment since your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your quality of life care professional might be able to tell you about ways to avoid or reduce some of these negative effects. Check along with your health care professional if any from the following negative effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any queries about them:
More common
Nausea or vomiting (mild)
swollen joints
Incidence mysterious
Hair loss or thinning with the hair
Other unwanted effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice some other effects, check with your doctor.
Call your doctor for health advice about unwanted side effects.
If you will end up investing in this medicine for years, it's very important that a medical expert check you at regular visits for just about any problems or unwanted side effects which might be brought on by this medicine. Blood tests may be needed to evaluate for negative effects.
Using this medicine while you're pregnant may damage your child. Use an effective form of birth control to hold from conceiving a child. If you think you've got become pregnant when using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Do not use this medicine should you be also taking mercaptopurine (Purinethol®). Using these medicines together might lead to serious unwanted effects.
If you are choosing azathioprine for arthritis, be sure your doctor knows in case you received chlorambucil (Leukeran®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®), or melphalan (Alkeran®) to help remedy your arthritis inside the past. Using azathioprine after these medicines may improve your risk for negative effects. Talk to your physician for those who have questions on this.
This medicine may increase your probability of getting certain kinds of cancer, especially in the skin, lymph system (lymphoma), or blood (leukemia). Talk to a medical expert when you have concerns about it risk.
Use sunscreen or sunblock lotions having a suncreen factor (SPF) with a minimum of 15 frequently when you happen to be outdoors. Wear protective clothing and hats, and turn into beyond direct sunlight involving the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
While you might be undergoing treatment with azathioprine, and when you stop treatment by it, tend not to have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Azathioprine may decrease your body's resistance along with the vaccine might not be well or you might receive the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, it's not necassary to be around other persons living in your family who receive live virus vaccines as there is a chance they might pass the herpes simplex virus on you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get all-around them and don't stay within the same room with them for too long. If you've queries about this, talk to your physician.
Azathioprine can temporarily lower the volume of white blood cells within your blood, improving the potential for getting an infection. It can also lower the volume of platelets, which are needed for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are particular precautions you'll be able to take, particularly if your blood count is low, to lessen the chance of infection or bleeding:
Check with your doctor immediately for those who have several of the symptoms while you are utilizing this medicine: severe nausea / vomiting; diarrhea; fever; rash; an overall sense of discomfort or illness; muscle or pain; lightheadedness or dizziness; or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of your serious reaction for the medicine within your bowel (intestine).
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days