Imurel
Imurel weakens the body's immune system and is used to prevent organ rejection after transplants and to treat autoimmune diseases.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
25 mg
Active Ingredient
Azathioprine
Manufacturer
Aspen Pharma Trading Limited
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will tell you how much to take, typically 1–4 mg per kilogram of body weight daily.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole. You can take them with or without food, but avoid milk or dairy products 1 hour before or 2 hours after.
Important
The maximum daily dose is generally up to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight. Your doctor will adjust the dose based on your condition.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Problems with blood and bone marrow, such as feeling weak, tired, pale, getting easy bruises, unusual bleeding, or infections (like fever or sore throat).
- •Nausea.
RARE
- •Allergic reactions (tiredness, dizziness, sick, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, swollen eyelids, face or lips, red or itchy skin, rash, blisters, muscle or joint pain, sudden trouble breathing or wheezing, cough, chest pain, or swollen legs).
- •Reversible brain swelling, with symptoms like severe headache, vision changes, seizures, confusion, or reduced alertness, sometimes with high blood pressure.
- •Severe skin reactions like widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals.
- •Lung inflammation, causing shortness of breath, cough, and fever.
- •A serious brain infection (PML) that can cause headaches, changes in behavior, trouble speaking, or problems with memory and thinking.
- •Liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice).
- •Different types of cancers, including blood, lymph node, and skin cancer.
- •A specific skin rash (Sweet's syndrome), with raised red, pink, or purple bumps that are sore to touch, often with fever.
- •A type of lymphoma (cancer) causing nosebleeds, tiredness, heavy night sweats, weight loss, or unexplained fever.
- •Anemia (low red blood cell count) causing tiredness and paleness.
- •Intense itching, especially on hands and feet, during pregnancy (cholestasis of pregnancy).
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), causing severe upper abdominal pain.
- •Hair loss, which often grows back even if you continue taking Imurel.
- •Intestinal problems like diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or a hole in the bowel.
- •Increased sensitivity to light or sunlight.
- •Vitamin B3 deficiency (pellagra) causing a localized skin rash with dark spots, diarrhea, or problems with memory and thinking.
- •Potentially life-threatening severe liver damage, with symptoms like yellowing of the skin and eyes, easy bruising, stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting.
- •Inflammation of the salivary glands.
- •Shaking or tremors.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Imurel if you are allergic to azathioprine, mercaptopurine, or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor about vaccinations, and do not get live vaccines (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella, flu, or BCG) while on Imurel due to infection risk.
- Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, genetic conditions (like Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or TPMT deficiency), or if you have had chickenpox, shingles, or hepatitis B.
- If you are having surgery, tell your anesthetist that you are taking Imurel, as it can interact with muscle relaxants.
- Imurel treatment can increase the risk of cancer (including skin cancer). Avoid too much sun and use high-SPF sunscreen and protective clothing.
Show 2 more warnings
- You will need regular blood tests while on Imurel to check your blood cells and liver function.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have children, talk to your doctor. Use reliable contraception during Imurel treatment.