Azathioprine is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants help to calm or control your body's immune system.
This medicine helps treat inflammatory conditions such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- severe inflammation of the liver, skin or arteries
- some blood disorders
If you've had a transplant, taking azathioprine can prevent your body from rejecting your new organ.
Azathioprine is sometimes also used to treat conditions that affect the skin, such as lupus or severe atopic eczema.
Azathioprine is available on prescription only. You'll usually be prescribed this medicine by a specialist doctor.
It comes as tablets. It's also available as an injection, but this is usually only given in hospital.
Key facts
- You'll have regular blood tests before and during your treatment to check for any problems with your liver, kidneys or bone marrow.
- Depending on why you're taking azathioprine, you'll usually notice an improvement in your condition after a few weeks, but it may be a few months before you see the full effect.
- Taking azathioprine can mean you're more likely to get infections. Ask your doctor for urgent advice if you get an infection, such as coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you've been in contact with anyone who has chickenpox or shingles while taking azathioprine.
- It's important to have any vaccinations when you're invited. Tell the person giving the vaccine that you take azathioprine, to make sure the vaccine is suitable for you.
- Use a sunscreen while taking azathioprine, as this medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- It's best not to drink too much alcohol, as azathioprine and alcohol can both affect your liver.