Azathioprine Interactions with Other Drugs
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant drug used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It works by blocking the production of certain immune cells. Some medications can cause serious side effects when combined with azathioprine. Read on to learn more about these interactions. You should always talk to your doctor before taking any new medication.
This article will help you understand how azathioprine interacts with other drugs.
Azathioprine interacts with many other drugs, so it is important to know how it will affect the other medications you are taking. Azathioprine (Imuran) is a medication that inhibits the immune system. It helps to prevent the body from attacking its own tissues, which can happen in autoimmune diseases. The drug is used to treat a number of conditions including autoimmune diseases such as:
· Rheumatoid arthritis
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· Systemic lupus erythematosus
· Crohn’s disease
· Ulcerative colitis
· Hidradenitis suppurativa
· Acute gouty arthritis
· Ankylosing spondylitis.
It works by blocking the production of T cells, which are white blood cells that attack foreign substances. In addition, azathioprine suppresses the immune system’s ability to produce antibodies. Your doctor can provide you with a list of drugs that may increase your risk of adverse effects when combined with azathioprine.
Azathioprine and Immunosuppressive Agents
Azathioprine tablets should not be taken with any other medications that suppress the immune system. This includes corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, sirolimus, and thyroglobulin. Azathioprine may interact with other drugs, including antibiotics, anticoagulants, antihistamines, antidepressants, and others.
Azathioprine Dosage
Azathioprine has been shown to cause severe liver damage when combined with certain antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin. These antibiotics are commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections (URI). If you take azathioprine and one of these antibiotics, talk to your doctor before taking either medication.
Azathioprine Side Effects
Azathioprine side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, rash, itching, hair loss, skin discoloration, and changes in vision. Azathioprine has been associated with serious side effects, including liver damage, bone marrow, and pancreatitis. It increases the risk of developing certain cancers. You should also tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms while taking azathioprine.
Azathioprine Drug Interactions
Azathioprine drug interactions are common when taking other medications. If you take azathioprine along with another drug, you may need to adjust your dose or stop one of them. Here are some common interactions between azathioprine and other medications.
· Allopurinol Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen)
. Cimetidine
· Clorazepate dipotassium
· Cyclophosphamide
· Dexamethasone
· Diazepam or alprazolam
Azathioprine is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It may also be prescribed to prevent organ rejection after transplantation or to treat certain autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, or as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician.
