Azathioprine (Imuran)/ 6-Mercaptopurine

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Azathioprine (Imuran)/ 6-Mercaptopurine This medication is used to treat CROHN’S DISEASE and ULCERATIVE COLITIS Included in a drug class ADDITIONAL TESTING called immunosuppressive AND MONITORING OTHER IMPORTANT antimetabolites Prior to starting this medication, INFORMATION your doctor may order: Works by reducing • This medication can be inflammation that leads • Blood counts and liver tests continued during pregnancy to the symptoms of Crohn’s / • TPMT level (an enzyme involved and breastfeeding, but ulcerative colitis in drug metabolism) should not be started during • Tests for inflammation pregnancy DRUG ADMINISTRATION (blood and/or stool test) • Oral tablet • Make sure you are up to date • Stool tests to rule out infection on your vaccinations: annual • Take with food to reduce • Abdominal imaging and/or flu vaccine, Pneumovax, nausea colonoscopy Prevnar-13, tetanus, hepatitis A • Dose and frequency as and B, and Shingrix (age>50) prescribed by your prescriber While on this medication, your doctor may order: • Store at room temperature • Obtain an annual skin • Blood counts and liver tests evaluation by your primary care POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS regularly to ensure safety physician or dermatologist INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT • Repeat tests for inflammation • This medication should be LIMITED TO: and abdominal imaging and/or taken exactly as prescribed • Nausea or vomiting colonoscopy to assess response to properly treat the disease • Abdominal pain to treatment • Allergy (rash, fever, joint pains) • Please contact your provider if you notice any signs or • Pancreatitis (inflammation symptoms of infection of the pancreas) Beth Israel Deaconess • Increased risk of infection Medical Center • Do not stop or hold this • Abnormal blood counts medication without contacting or liver tests 617-754-8888 your gastroenterologist • Rare increased risk of lymphoma • Rare increased risk of non- Lahey Hospital melanoma skin cancer & Medical Center Some of these risks are increased 781-744-8740 when used in combination with an anti-TNF inhibitor These rare risks are outweighed by potential complications of untreated inflammatory bowel disease.

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