Imuran (azathioprine) Coupons, Discounts & Cost
Imuran (azathioprine) is an immunosuppressive drug available in tablet form. One way to save money on the Imuran (azathioprine) retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Imuran coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use our Azathioprine coupons at your online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price each time you refill your prescription.
What do patients need to know about Imuran (azathioprine)?
Imuran (azathioprine) is an immunosuppressive drug available in tablet form.
In what cases patients should take Imuran (azathioprine)?
The indications for Azathioprine include: chronic active hepatitis, polyarteritis nodosa, autoimmune glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, pemphigus vulgaris, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, myasthenia gravis, dermatomyositis, psoriasis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The drug is also used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs.
In what cases patients should NOT take Imuran (azathioprine)?
The main contraindications include hypersensitivity to Azathioprine, liver failure, aplastic and hypoplastic anemia, lymphopenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia. The drug is not recommended during pregnancy.
How should patients use Imuran (azathioprine)?
The dosing regimen should be adjusted for each patient individually, depending on indications, dosage of other drugs and severity of the disease.
In rheumatoid arthritis Azathioprine is administered in a daily dose of 1-2.5 mg/kg of body weight (1-2 times a day). The course of treatment should last not less than 12 weeks. The maintenance dose is 0.5 mg/kg 1 time a day.
For the prevention of transplant rejection: Azathioprine is used in combination therapy - 5 mg/kg orally in 2-3 divided doses for 1-2 months. Further maintenance dose is 1 to 4 mg/kg orally for a long period of time (several years).
In chronic active hepatitis Azathioprine is administered in a daily dose of 1-1.5 mg/kg of body weight.
In other pathologies Azathioprine is usually administered in a daily dose of 1.5-2 mg/kg (3-4 times a day).
Azathioprine dose may be gradually reduced (always consult your doctor before changing the dosage of the drug).
Azathioprine is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and the small intestine. The maximum plasma concentrations occur within 1-2 hours after ingestion.
What are the possible side effects of Imuran (azathioprine)?
Azathioprine adverse actions include: anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, anorexia, myalgia, macrocytosis, megaloblastic erythropoiesis, arthralgia, toxic and/or cholestatic hepatitis, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mouth and oral cavity. Some patients may experience hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, meningeal reactions, acute pulmonary diseases. Perforation and bowel necrosis, erosive and ulcerative lesions, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, and pancreatitis are possible in transplant recipients. Such patients are at risk of malignant neoplasms.
When a patient overdoses on Imuran (azathioprine)
Symptoms of overdose: pancytopenia, abnormal liver function (high plasma bilirubin levels), other adverse reactions.
Imuran (azathioprine) warnings
Patients should be monitored with frequent blood counts during the first 8 weeks of therapy (every week). Also, the patient requires periodic monitoring of bilirubin levels, liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Azathioprine should be taken at lower doses in patients with functional disorders of the liver and/or kidney disease, as well as in patients taking allopurinol.
During Azathioprine therapy, women of reproductive age should use highly effective contraceptive methods. The drug should be used with extreme caution in cases of varicella, cytotoxic and radiation therapy, and herpes zoster.
Imuran (azathioprine) interaction with other drugs
Allopurinol enhances the toxic effect of Azathioprine. ACE inhibitors may lead to severe leukopenia. Other immunosuppressive agents (corticosteroids, cyclosporine) increase the risk of infection and tumors.
Vaccines should not be used in persons who take Azathioprine.