Imuran Indications/Uses

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. It also reduces 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.