Imuran

Azathioprine, the active ingredient in Imuran, is an immunosuppressant (antimetabolite) presented as an oral tablet for oral use. It is employed to reduce immune activity in patients undergoing organ transplantation, as well as in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

GNH USA supplies Imuran as a licensed, GDP‑compliant international pharmaceutical supplier serving hospitals, transplant centres, pharmacies and clinics worldwide, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance, and our distribution network adheres to stringent quality standards to meet global demand through reliable logistics.

Azathioprine is used to modulate immune responses in several chronic conditions.

Organ transplantation: prevents graft rejection by suppressing lymphocyte proliferation. Rheumatoid arthritis: reduces joint inflammation and slows disease progression. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis): controls intestinal inflammation and helps maintain remission.

Azathioprine may cause a range of adverse reactions, from mild to severe.

Common Side Effects: - Nausea or vomiting. - Loss of appetite. - Mild leukopenia or neutropenia. - Skin rash or mild itching. - Low-grade fever. - Fatigue.

Serious or Rare Side Effects: - Severe bone‑marrow suppression leading to pancytopenia. - Hepatotoxicity or elevated liver enzymes. - Pancreatitis. - Increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. - Development of malignancies such as lymphoma or skin cancer. - Severe hypersensitivity reactions.

When prescribing azathioprine, clinicians should consider several safety measures.

Baseline monitoring: obtain complete blood count and liver function tests before initiation. Infection risk: monitor for signs of infection and avoid live vaccines. Pregnancy: use only if benefits outweigh risks; discuss with obstetrician. Drug interactions: review concomitant medications that affect metabolism. Store at ambient temperature: keep below 25°C, protect from moisture and light in the original container.

Azathioprine interacts with several medicines that can alter its efficacy or safety.

Major Interactions (Avoid): - Allopurinol or febuxostat: may cause severe bone‑marrow suppression. - TPMT inhibitors: increase azathioprine toxicity. - Live vaccines: heightened infection risk. - Warfarin: may enhance anticoagulant effect. - Rituximab: additive immunosuppression.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely): - Corticosteroids: increased overall immunosuppression. - Sulfasalazine: may affect blood counts. - Trimethoprim‑sulfamethoxazole: monitor for myelosuppression. - Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin): may alter drug metabolism. - Inactivated vaccines: assess timing relative to therapy.