Azathioprine is a chemotherapy drug, now rarely used for chemotherapy but more for immunosuppression in organ transplantation, autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease. It is a pro-drug, converted in the body to the active metabolites 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioinosinic acid.

Azathioprine is produced by a number of generic manufacturers and as branded names (Azasan® by Salix in US and Imuran® by GlaxoSmithKline in UK).

History

---

Azathioprine was first introduced into clinical practice by Sir Roy Calne, the British pioneer in transplantation. Following the work done by Sir Peter Medawar in discovering the immunological basis of rejection of transplanted tissues and organs, Calne introduced 6-mercaptopurine as an experimental immunosuppressant for kidney transplants. When azathioprine was discovered, he then introduced it as a less toxic replacement for 6-mercaptopurine. For many years, dual therapy with azathioprine and steroids was the standard anti-rejection regime, until cyclosporine was introduced into clinical practice (also by Calne) in 1978.

More on [ Azathioprine ]

Azathioprine - Twitter Search

@eczemasupport Not too bad at the moment (has fingers crossed) On cocktail of Azathioprine (75mg) Prednisoline(7.5mg) and Doprobase.
RoddyJenkins (RoddyJenkins) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:12:21 -0000
@eczemasupport Not too bad at the moment (has fingers crossed) On cocktail of Azathioprine (75mg) Prednisoline(7.5mg) and Doprobase.
anyone here taking azathioprine? how long am I going to have to put up with these frigging side effects?
panthergrrrl (Paula Stewart) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:33:58 -0000
anyone here taking azathioprine? how long am I going to have to put up with these frigging side effects?
right, this Azathioprine is making me feel a bit weird.
panthergrrrl (Paula Stewart) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:47:06 -0000
right, this Azathioprine is making me feel a bit weird.
Greyhound lover:: Re: Seasonal Flu Vaccine: Oh no I have just started on azathioprine, don't say I will get called ... http://bit.ly/6BDjYr
ColitisUK (Colitis UK) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:23:41 -0000
Greyhound lover:: Re: Seasonal Flu Vaccine: Oh no I have just started on azathioprine, don't say I will get called ... http://bit.ly/6BDjYr
GI: Mercaptopurine rescue after azathioprine-induced liver injury in inflammatory bowel disease: Alimentary .. http://bit.ly/5MNNrp
MDLinx (Sandeep Pulim MD) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:03:13 -0000
GI: Mercaptopurine rescue after azathioprine-induced liver injury in inflammatory bowel disease: Alimentary .. http://bit.ly/5MNNrp
Azathioprine, ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil e bla bla bla Whiskas saqetas ...
Filipa_de_Sousa (Filipa Fernandes) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:56:47 -0000
Azathioprine, ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil e bla bla bla Whiskas saqetas ...

Subscribe to Azathioprine RSS feed