Gastroenterology · Thiopurine immunosuppressant
Azathioprine
Dose
2–2.5 mg/kg/day PO after checking TPMT/NUDT15 activity.
Contraindications
- • Absent TPMT activity
- • Concurrent allopurinol without dose reduction
Use
Steroid-sparing maintenance in IBD, autoimmune hepatitis, vasculitis.
Monitoring
FBC + LFTs weekly × 4, then 2-weekly × 8, then 3-monthly; thiopurine metabolites if non-response.
Side effects
- • Myelosuppression
- • Hepatitis
- • Pancreatitis
- • Lymphoma and NMSC risk
Related in WardRound
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
