What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- appetite loss
- diarrhea
- fever
- muscle pain/soreness
- nausea and vomiting
- skin rash
- weakness/tiredness
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Infection: This medication reduces the number of cells that fight infection in the body. Report signs and symptoms of infection (e.g., fever, general weakness, etc.) to your doctor. Avoid people with infections if at all possible.
Kidney or liver disease: Azathioprine may be cleared from the body more slowly in kidney disease or liver disease. Your doctor may need to lower your dose if you have either of these conditions.
Pregnancy: Azathioprine can cause harm to the fetus when taken by pregnant women. It should not be given to women who are or may become pregnant unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Effective birth control should be practiced while using this medication. If pregnancy occurs while you are taking this medication, discuss with your doctor at once.
Breast-feeding: Azathioprine passes into the breast milk. Women should not breast-feed while receiving azathioprine treatment due to risk of harm to the infant.
Children: Safety and efficacy of azathioprine in pediatric patients have not been established.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way azathioprine works, be affected by azathioprine or increase the risk of side effects:
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, ramipril)
- allopurinol
- zidovudine (AZT)
- co-trimoxazole
- cyclosporin
- d-tubocurarine
- mercaptopurine
- mesalazine
- olsalazine
- pancuronium
- sulfasalazine
- warfarin
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to change your therapy or suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.