What is Imuran Medication?
The active component in IMURAN medication is azathioprine. Azathioprine belongs to the immunosuppressant class of drugsÛ”
Generic
Active ingredient: Azathioprine (immunosuppressant)
What is Imuran Used for?
It is a drug that prevents a transplanted organ, such as a kidney, liver, or heart, from rejecting. It works by suppressing the immunological system of the body.
Is Imuran a Steroid?
The active ingredient of Imuran is Azathioprine which is a thiol-containing purine. Azathioprine is a steroid-sparing medicine that can be used orally. Long-term usage of steroids, particularly in asthmatic individuals, might have negative consequences. As a result, azathioprine is utilized as a steroid-sparing drug, allowing for the administration of lower steroid dosages and finally the cessation of steroid usage.
How Long Does Imuran Stay in your System?
It has a serum half-life of 0.2 to 0.5 hours and a biologic half-life of around 24 hours and is well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal system.
How Long Does it Take Imuran to Work?
Azathioprine (Imuran) is a drug that takes time to function. It might take up to 12 weeks of taking the “correct” adjusted dosage for inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease before you experience any improvements. It may take many months or more for some skin problems.
Is Imuran Safe in Pregnancy?
Imuran is a pregnancy category D drug. Without a careful assessment of risk vs benefit, it should not be given to patients who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant in the coming days.
Imuran Dosing and How to Take it?
IMURAN (tablets) should be taken at least one hour before or three hours after eating or drinking. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. The tablets should not be broken, chewed, or crushed.
When the oral route is not possible, IMURAN (injection) can be given solely by the intravenous route; however, this method should be stopped as soon as oral therapy is tolerated again.
Uses
It is used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, chronic active hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, certain blood diseases, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, muscle-related diseases, and skin disorders.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Imuran include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
