Treatment with Azathioprine
Azathioprine is a drug used to suppress the immune system. The immune system is responsible for fighting infections, but there may be circumstances where it is necessary to suppress its action.
For instance, Azathioprine is given to patients with a kidney transplant to try and stop their body’s immune system from rejecting the kidney. Azathioprine is taken by mouth in the form of tablets. The dose is around 50mg three times a day. It works by preventing some cells from dividing and reproducing so quickly and therefore reduces the ability of these cells to cause inflammation.
It is usually given to reduce the dose of prednisolone in order to reduce side-effects. If Azathioprine is to be prescribed for your eye inflammation, you will need to know about potential side-effects of the drug, and the regular tests that will be performed in order to minimise problems.
The bone marrow and blood cells
Azathioprine acts by preventing some white blood cells from causing inflammation. In a few patients there is a more generalised reduction in the number of white blood cells, which is undesirable. Rarely the red blood and clotting cells are also affected and this is also undesirable. There will be blood tests every few weeks and then every 3 months when stable.
Stomach irritation
A few patients feel slightly sick when starting to take Azathioprine. This is not usually a major problem, and is minimised by taking the tablets after a meal.
Infection
Azathioprine alone, taken in small to moderate doses (as for the treatment of uveitis) is unlikely to lead to an increased infection risk.
Others
If you are a woman, it is important you do not become pregnant when using Azathioprine as there is a small risk of damage to a baby. In a few people, hair loss can occur.
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