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Patient Information Sheet #15, Azathioprine
Azathioprine
is a drug that acts to suppress the work of the immune system.
It is used mainly in organ transplantation to prevent the body
from rejecting the new organ. The drug is also used in patients
with lupus who have damage to their kidneys or other organs,
muscle inflammation, or advanced arthritis. Azathioprine helps
to reduce symptoms and damage to the affected organs. It can
also help achieve a remission of the disease.
Another
benefit of azathioprine is that it reduces or even eliminates
the need for corticosteroid therapy. This means that patients
do not have to have the unpleasant side effects that occur with
corticosteroids. Immunosuppressives like azathioprine, however,
can have their own serious side effects. Your doctor must work
closely with you to make sure that the amount of the drug you
are taking gives you the benefits you need with as few side
effects as possible.
INSTRUCTIONS
The brand
name of your azathioprine is: ______________________________
The strength or dose of the azathioprine ordered for you is:
_______________
Take the azathioprine __________ time(s) per day.
The best time(s) to take your azathioprine: ____________________________
You may take azathioprine with food if stomach upset occurs.
Additional
instructions:
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
These
include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, mouth
ulcers, darkened urine, pale stools, jaundice (yellowing of
the skin or white portion of the eyes), unusual bleeding or
bruising, signs of infection (such as chills, fever, sore
throat, or fatigue), and ___________________________________________.
PRECAUTIONS
Do not
take more than the recommended dose.
Avoid
exposure to infections. Stay away from crowds and people known
to have colds, the flu, or other infections.
Do not
take this drug with other drugs, including over-the-counter
medications, without first checking with your nurse or doctor.
Over-the-counter medications are medications that you can
buy without a doctor s prescription.
Tell your
nurses, doctors, or dentist that you are taking azathioprine
for your lupus.
WARNING!
Use of
this drug presents a definite risk to the fetus. Use an effective
birth control measure during treatment and for 12 weeks after
ending treatment. Azathioprine may pass into breast milk,
so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
ADDITIONAL
NOTES
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From LUPUS: A Patient
Care Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals, National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases/National
Institutes of Health
Patient Information
Sheet #15
Patient Information Sheets
Outline
Credits Acknowledgments
Introduction 1.
Erythematosus 2. Advances 3.
Tests 4. Care 5.
Medications 6. Psychosocial Aspects
7. Patient Info. 8.
Resources
National Institute
of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2350
January 26, 1999
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