Azathioprine (azathioprine): Reviews and patient testimonials

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Medication indications

Azathioprine 25 mg film-coated tablets

Azathioprine is used as an immunosuppressant antimetabolite either alone or, more commonly, in combination with other agents (usually corticosteroids) and procedures which influence the immune response.

Therapeutic effect may be evident only after weeks or months and can include a steroid-sparing effect, thereby reducing the toxicity associated with high dosage and prolonged usage of corticosteroids.

Azathioprine in combination with corticosteroids and/or other immunosuppressive agents and procedures, is indicated to enhance the survival of organ transplants, such as renal transplants, cardiac transplants, and hepatic transplants; and to reduce the corticosteroid requirements of renal transplant recipients. Azathioprine either alone or more usually in combination with corticosteroids and/or other drugs and procedures has been used with clinical benefit (which may include reduction of dosage or discontinuation of corticosteroids) in a proportion of patients suffering from the following:

- severe rheumatoid arthritis - systemic lupus erythematosus

- dermatomyositis and polymyositis

- auto-immune chronic active hepatitis

- pemphigus vulgaris

- polyarteritis nodosa

- auto-immune haemolytic anaemia

- chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Azathioprine 50 mg film-coated tablets

Azathioprine is used as an immunosuppressant antimetabolite either alone or, more commonly, in combination with other agents (usually corticosteroids) and procedures which influence the immune response. Therapeutic effect may be evident only after weeks or months and can include a steroid-sparing effect, thereby reducing the toxicity associated with high dosage and prolonged usage of corticosteroids.

Azathioprine in combination with corticosteroids and/or other immunosuppressive agents and procedures, is indicated to enhance the survival of organ transplants, such as renal transplants, cardiac transplants, and hepatic transplants; and to reduce the corticosteroid requirements of renal transplant recipients. Azathioprine either alone or more usually in combination with corticosteroids and/or other drugs and procedures has been used with clinical benefit (which may include reduction of dosage or discontinuation of corticosteroids) in a proportion of patients suffering from the following:

- severe rheumatoid arthritis

- systemic lupus erythematosus

- dermatomyositis and polymyositis

- auto-immune chronic active hepatitis

- pemphigus vulgaris

- polyarteritis nodosa

- auto -immune haemolytic anaemia

- chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Azathioprine 50 mg Tablets

Azathioprine is indicated in immunosuppressive regimens as an adjunct to immunosuppressive agents that form the mainstay of treatment (basic immunosuppression).

Azathioprine is indicated in combination with other immunosuppressive agents for the prophylaxis of transplant rejection in patients receiving allogenic kidney, liver, heart, lung, or pancreas transplants.

Azathioprine is indicated either alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or other drugs and procedures in severe cases of the following diseases, in patients who are intolerant to steroids or who are dependent on steroids and in whom the therapeutic response is inadequate despite treatment with high doses of steroids:

- Severe active rheumatoid arthritis that cannot be kept under control by less toxic agents (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, DMARDs)

- Severe or moderately severe inflammatory intestinal disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)

- Systemic lupus erythematosus

- Dermatomyositis

- Auto-immune chronic active hepatitis

- Polyarteritis nodosa

- Refractory warm auto-immune haemolytic anaemia

- Chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Azathioprine Tablets 25mg

Azathioprine is an antimetabolite which is used as an immunosuppressant, either as monotherapy or more often in combination with other drugs (mainly corticosteroids) and procedures which modulate the immune response. Therapeutic effect may be apparent only after weeks or months. Combination therapy with Azathioprine and corticosteroids may allow the dosage of corticosteroids to be reduced, resulting in a reduction of the toxicity associated with chronic use of corticosteroids at high doses.

Azathioprine, in combination with corticosteroids and/or other immunosuppressive drugs and procedures, is indicated to improve the survival of organ transplants, including renal, cardiac and hepatic transplants and to reduce the requirement for corticosteroids in renal transplant recipients.

Azathioprine tablets, either as a monotherapy or more usually in combination with corticosteroids and/or other drugs and procedures, may have a significant therapeutic effect in a proportion of patients suffering from auto-immune chronic active hepatitis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, auto-immune haemolytic anaemia, pemphigus vulgaris, polyarteritis nodosa, dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

Clinical benefit may include a reduction in the dosage of corticosteroids or discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy.

Azathioprine Tablets 50mg

Azathioprine is an antimetabolite which is used as an immunosuppressant, either as monotherapy or more often in combination with other drugs (mainly corticosteroids) and procedures which modulate the immune response. Therapeutic effect may be apparent only after weeks or months. Combination therapy with Azathioprine and corticosteroids may allow the dosage of corticosteroids to be reduced, resulting in a reduction of the toxicity associated with chronic use of corticosteroids at high doses.

Azathioprine, in combination with corticosteroids and/or other immunosuppressive drugs and procedures, is indicated to improve the survival of organ transplants, including renal, cardiac and hepatic transplants and to reduce the requirement for corticosteroids in renal transplant recipients.

Azathioprine tablets, either as a monotherapy or more usually in combination with corticosteroids and/or other drugs and procedures, may have a significant therapeutic effect in a proportion of patients suffering from auto-immune chronic active hepatitis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, auto-immune haemolytic anaemia, pemphigus vulgaris, polyarteritis nodosa, dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

Clinical benefit may include a reduction in the dosage of corticosteroids or discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy.


Route of administration: Oral
Molecule: azathioprine

Patients' opinions on Azathioprine

In brief

General satisfaction level: 3.33/10 Learn more

Treatment's effectiveness: 3.83/10 Learn more

Ease of use: 6.20/10 Learn more

Adherence to prescription: 5.50/10 Learn more

Detected side effects: 5.25/10 Learn more

Improvement in the quality of life: 4.80/10 Learn more

1 = Not at all satisfied
10 = Extremely satisfied

1 = Not at all satisfied
10 = Extremely satisfied

1 = Not at all satisfied
10 = Extremely satisfied

1 = Never
10 = Always

1 = Not at all important
10 = Extremely important

1 = Not at all satisfied
10 = Extremely satisfied

Tips and advice of the community


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mr chipps • Ambassador
on 06/07/2021

I thankfully have now been of Azathioprine for 14 months and their has not been any side effects. according to my doctor my white blood cells are now virtually back to a normal level. this makes me very happy. but i am still taking around 20 tablets ad day plus eye gels, nasal sprays and stomach medication

But the upside of it is, that i am, alive and very glad to be so . oh and by the way its over 2 months since my 2nd covid19 jab, but i still have not grown another head, nor any of my limbs dropped off and i sleep soundly at night knowing, that because of marvellous scientists and all the NHS, my life is virtually safe from Covid19. live is wonderful as is my poetry writing skills and singing voice x

Your message


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mr chipps • Ambassador
on 07/04/2021

be very aware that this medication has many side effects, especially reducing your immunity and even when you stop taking them, it takes several months for these side effects to leave the body and it to recover its previous immunity status. .however it does also reduce the intensity and mass of bones , which could lead to them becoming weaker?

my advice is to get professional advice when you start taking Azathioprine. i was at 1 time taking 125 mg , which was reduced by 50 and then 25 mg over 2 years. i have now been of it almost a year and my bowel is fine, but i'm not sure that my immunity has returned to its previous levels

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mr chipps • Ambassador
on 06/01/2021

be wary bout using it, as it will change your body and reduce your immunity and make you more vulnerable to infections and possibly increase the amount of time it takes to recover from minor and major illnesses. you may also feel colder in the winter, and burn more easily in the summer?

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mr chipps • Ambassador
on 05/01/2021

LisaMary. 

 i know that some of the side effects of azathioprine can be very harsh and include affecting bone density, lowering your immunity and making yo vulnerable to other illnesses as i learned to my on personal and medical expense.

 i have now bee of it over 7 months, but still have to monitor my bowel and general health until my immunity improves a lot more

but this wont be helped by me being in group 4 for the covid19 vaccine, as i am classed as highly vulnerable but no more than someone who is 20 years my age and fit and well. what a complete fiasco

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mr chipps • Ambassador
on 11/11/2020

i have now been off it for over 5 months and so far, there has not been any ill effects to my daily life.

i am hoping that now it has hopefully cleared my body, my immunity will again begin to build up, but i know that after 17 years of using it, things can take a very long time. so i still have to be careful and expect my health to be endangered and me not be able to get back to how things were previously

Not because of my age, but because of the covid19 lockdowns. etc

i maybe age 71, but in my mind i m often only age 25 and i am often complimented on not looking my age

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mr chipps • Ambassador
on 11/11/2020

be sure to read the instruction leaflets, as some side effects are very harsh and seriously affect your life and mind

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LisaMaryWhite
on 17/05/2019

This drug gave me hepatitis (very poorly) & made no benefits

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Members using this Azathioprine

Conditions related to this medication

See the fact sheet
Fact sheet

Crohn's disease

See the fact sheet
Fact sheet

Ulcerative colitis

See the fact sheet