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Initial | 1-2 mg/kg once daily. |
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Maintenance | 1 mg/kg once daily. |
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Monitoring | No monitoring of drug levels is required. |
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Important: Protocol superseded July 2009 - see new version here at www.edren.co.uk.
That website is in development - you can ignore the 'This website is not ready' signs ONLY for the Transplant protocols. Others are not updated or fully transferred. |
This page describes the Edinburgh regime for the use of the immunosuppressant Azathioprine.
Third agent in standard triple therapy.
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Initial | 1-2 mg/kg once daily. |
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Maintenance | 1 mg/kg once daily. |
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Monitoring | No monitoring of drug levels is required. |
Azathioprine is available as 25 mg and 50 mg tablets. There are both generic and brand (Imuran) forms on the market.
Virtually exclusively oral, although an IV preparation is available.
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Allopurinol must not be co-prescribed as an inhibition of xanthine oxidase results in potentially fatal accumulation of azathioprine and its metabolites. An alternative uricosuric- benzbromarone is available on a named patient basis. Contact transplant unit pharmacist for further details.
- Bone marrow suppression - usually reversible following cessation.
- Cholestatis and disturbed liver function - again usually reversible.
- Pancreatitis
- Dose may require to be altered depending on WCC, i.e., reduce if WCC<4.0, stop if WCC <3.0 and re-introduce at a lower doses when WCC>3.0.
Transplant protocols developed on the Edinburgh Transplant Unit. This page first published March 2002 by Amit Adlakha, reviewed November 2006 and last modified
NOTE that the accuracy of any statements in this information CANNOT be guaranteed. It is published in the belief that it is correct, and we endeavour to keep it so - but we do make mistakes. Furthermore, over some subjects there are differing opinions, or differing degrees of certainty. We have usually not attempted to discuss these here because the aim has been to provide an immediate and brief guide. In all areas, prior medical knowledge is assumed. The EdRenHANDBOOK is not suitable for use by those without such a background. Contact us by email or at the address given at the foot of the contents page with any comments or corrections.