💊 Azathioprine Tablet 25 mg (p)
📘 Description:
Azathioprine 25 mg is an oral immunosuppressive medication. The tablets are usually round, pale yellow, and film-coated, scored for easy splitting. It is a prescription-only drug.
🔬 Nature / Drug Class:
- Drug Class: Immunosuppressant / Antimetabolite
- Mechanism of Action: Azathioprine is a prodrug converted into 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), which interferes with DNA synthesis, reducing the proliferation of immune system cells, especially T and B lymphocytes.
🩺 Prescription / Uses:
| Indication | Use |
|---|---|
| Autoimmune diseases | Suppresses abnormal immune response |
| – Rheumatoid arthritis | Reduces joint damage and inflammation |
| – Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | Maintains remission |
| – Inflammatory bowel diseases | Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis management |
| – Autoimmune hepatitis | Maintains liver function |
| Organ transplantation | Prevents organ rejection (often kidney, liver, heart) |
| Dermatologic conditions | Pemphigus, psoriasis, chronic eczema (as immunotherapy) |
✅ Advantages:
- Steroid-sparing agent – reduces need for long-term corticosteroids
- Suitable for long-term maintenance therapy
- Useful across multiple autoimmune and transplant conditions
- Helps in maintaining remission and reducing flare-ups
⚠️ Precautions:
- Monitor blood counts regularly – risk of bone marrow suppression
- Use caution in patients with TPMT deficiency (thiopurine methyltransferase) – may cause severe toxicity
- Avoid in pregnancy unless essential – category D (can be used if benefits outweigh risks under close monitoring)
- Hepatic monitoring is needed – can cause liver enzyme elevations
- Patients should avoid live vaccines while on therapy
📦 Storage:
- Store at 15–30°C (59–86°F)
- Protect from moisture and light
- Keep in tightly closed container
📌 Patient Tips:
- Take at the same time daily for best results
- Regular blood tests (CBC, LFTs) are mandatory
- Report infections, sore throat, bruising, or yellowing of skin immediately
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure – increased skin cancer risk