Patient Information Leaflet

Imuran® Injection

azathioprine

Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it safe as you may want to read it again.

This leaflet is a summary of information about your Imuran Injection. If you want to know more about your illness or your medicine, ask your doctor.

What is in Imuran Injection?

Imuran Injection contains azathioprine sodium equivalent to 50 mg of the active ingredient, azathioprine, as a freeze-dried powder. Before injection it is dissolved in sterile water.

There are no other inactive ingredients in Imuran Injection. The sodium content is approximately 4.5 mg. Imuran Injection is packed in single vials.

What is Imuran for?

Imuran belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressives. This means that it reduces the strength of your immune system.

Immunosuppressive medicines are sometimes necessary to help your body accept an organ transplant, or to treat some diseases where your immune system is reacting against your own body (autoimmune diseases).

Is it alright for me to have Imuran?

This medicine suits most people but a few people should not take it. Ask yourself these questions to check whether it is right for you:

• have you ever had an allergy or bad reaction to Imuran, azathioprine or mercaptopurine?
• are you pregnant or breast-feeding?
• are you planning to have a baby? As Imuran can damage the development of a foetus, adequate contraceptive precautions should be taken if either partner is taking Imuran. This is to prevent the possibility of a pregnancy during treatment
• are you taking or likely to be taking any of the following medicines? (Please check with your doctor if you are not sure): allopurinol (used mainly to treat gout), tubocurarine, succinylcholine (used mainly during surgical operations), penicillamine (used mainly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), captopril, furosemide (used mainly to treat high blood pressure), warfarin (used to prevent blood clots), cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers and indigestion), indometacin (used as a pain killer and anti-inflammatory), cytostatic drugs (includes some antibiotics and also drugs used to treat various types of cancer), balsalazide, mesalazine, olsalazine or sulfasalazine (used mainly to treat ulcerative colitis)
• do you suffer from liver or kidney disease?
• do you suffer from thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

If you need any vaccinations while you are taking Imuran, check with your doctor first as this may cause side effects.

If you answer “yes" to any question, tell your doctor.

How is Imuran Injection given?

The dosage is very variable and it may be changed from time to time by your doctor. The usual daily dosage of Imuran is from 1 - 5 mg per kilogram body weight for adults and children. The usual dosage for elderly patients and those with liver or kidney disease should be at the lower end of the dosage range for adults.

Imuran Injection may only be given intravenously (into a vein) as an injection or an infusion. Your doctor will discuss the best method of treatment for you.

While you are on Imuran, your doctor will want you to have a blood test from time to time to check the blood cell count and to adjust the dosage if necessary.

 

Does Imuran Injection have side effects?

This medicine may cause side effects in some people. Patients receiving immunosuppressives such as Imuran may be more likely to develop different types of cancers including skin cancers. You should take care to avoid to much sun and wear protective clothing and sunscreen.

See your doctor immediately if any of the following occur:

• if you feel sick, dizzy, lose your appetite, vomit or develop bad diarrhoea or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• you develop a serious skin reaction (blistering and/or peeling)
• if you start feeling more tired than usual, or if you notice any signs of a fever (chills), rash, muscle or joint pain, or an infection
• if you have any unexpected bruising or bleeding
• if you start feeling more ill while taking Imuran
• if you develop lumps on the body or patches on the skin.

You may notice some hair loss while taking Imuran. This is a rare side effect of Imuran that could happen in less than 1 in 1,000 patients. Often hair does grow again, even if you carry on taking Imuran. If you are worried ask your doctor.

Imuran can cause kidney problems (symptoms may include changes in the amount of urine passed and changes in the colour of the urine) or a drop in blood pressure.

Very rarely, liver or lung problems may occur. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any other side effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.

Storing your Imuran Injection

• Your Imuran Injection will be kept in a dark, dry safe place below 25°C. It will be kept where children cannot see or reach it
• The doctor or nurse will check that the expiry date on the label has not been passed.

This information provided applies only to Imuran Injection