Azathioprine
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Azathioprine. Lesch Nyhan syndrome, Known malignancy. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Contraindications
- Lesch Nyhan syndrome
- Known malignancy
- Allopurinol therapy: this increases the risk of bone marrow and liver toxicity
Precaution with thiopurine-s-methyltransferase (TPMT) status
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Cancer risk
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Precautions in women
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Vaccinations
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Baseline tests
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Monitoring blood tests
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Monitoring frequency
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Precautionary tests if the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is >105
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Indications for stopping
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References
- Ledingham J, Gullick N, Irving K, et al. BSR and BHPR guideline for the prescription and monitoring of non-biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2017; 56:865-868.
- Chakravarty K, McDonald H, Pullar T, et al. BSR/BHPR guideline for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy in consultation with the British Association of Dermatologists. Rheumatology 2008; 47:924-925.
- Meggitt SJ, Anstey AV, Mustapha MFM, Reynolds NJ, Wakelin S. British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for safe and effective prescribing of azathioprine 2011. Br J Dermatol 2011; 165:711-734.
- Anstey AV, Wakelin S, Reynolds NJ. Guidelines for prescribing azathioprine in dermatology. Br J Dermatol 2004; 151:1123-1132.
- Amato AA, Russell JA. Neuromuscular Disorders. McGraw Hill New York 2008 p711.
