Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Azathioprine?
3. Uses of Azathioprine
4. Do You Need a Prescription for Azathioprine?
5. How Does Azathioprine Work?
6. Common Side Effects of Azathioprine
7. What Should You Not Take With Azathioprine?
8. Conclusion

Introduction

Azathioprine is a drug used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer. It is a type of immunosuppressant, meaning that it suppresses the body’s immune system. In this article, we will discuss what azathioprine is, its uses, whether or not you need a prescription for it, how it works, common side effects, and what you should not take with it.

What is Azathioprine?

Azathioprine is a type of immunosuppressant drug, which means that it suppresses the body’s immune system. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer. It is also used to prevent organ rejection in people who have had organ transplants. Azathioprine is available in tablet form and is taken orally.

Uses of Azathioprine

Azathioprine is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer. It is also used to prevent organ rejection in people who have had organ transplants. Azathioprine is sometimes used in combination with other drugs, such as corticosteroids, to treat these conditions.

Do You Need a Prescription for Azathioprine?

Yes, you need a prescription from your doctor in order to get azathioprine. It is not available over-the-counter.

How Does Azathioprine Work?

Azathioprine works by suppressing the body’s immune system. This helps to reduce inflammation and pain associated with certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. It also helps to prevent organ rejection in people who have had organ transplants.

Common Side Effects of Azathioprine

Common side effects of azathioprine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, and rash. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor.

What Should You Not Take With Azathioprine?

You should not take azathioprine with other immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus. You should also not take azathioprine with certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin or clarithromycin.

Conclusion

Azathioprine is a type of immunosuppressant drug used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer. It is also used to prevent organ rejection in people who have had organ transplants. You need a prescription from your doctor in order to get azathioprine, and it should not be taken with other immunosuppressants or certain antibiotics. Common side effects of azathioprine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, and rash.

This article is based on the information provided by Mayo Clinic and WebMD.