Is azathioprine an immunosuppressant? What conditions is azathioprine used for?

It is an imidazole derivative of 6-thiopurine. Is azathioprine an immunosuppressant? Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive drug used to suppress the inflammatory response and activated immune system in the body. Azathioprine is often called a "hormone replacement drug" or "immunomodulator". It allows patients who need to take hormones to maintain the lowest dose level, and some patients can even eventually stop taking hormones. This is a huge boon for patients with osteoporosis and femoral head necrosis. Azathioprine is also used to treat other immune-related diseases, such as organ transplantation, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

Azathioprine has been used at home and abroad to treat neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies have shown that azathioprine reduces exacerbations in patients with NMO and partial remitting-relapsing forms of MS. In some people with MS, it may also reduce the formation of new lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. Although azathioprine is not approved by the US FDA specifically for MS, when necessary, azathioprine can be used in combination with immunomodulatory drugs for other diseases to improve efficacy. In addition, for MS patients who do not have the conditions to take immunomodulatory drugs, azathioprine alone may also be considered.

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1. Acute and chronic leukemia. The short-term curative effect on chronic myelogenous leukemia is good and fast, but the remission period is short;

2. Acquired hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus;

3. Chronic rheumatoid arthritis, chronic active hepatitis (hepatitis related to autoimmunity), primary biliary cirrhosis;

4. Hyperthyroidism, myasthenia gravis;

5. Others: chronic non-specific ulcerative colitis, segmental enteritis, polyradiculitis, lupus nephritis, proliferative nephritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, etc.

Note: The above information comes from the Internet and is compiled and edited by Medical Companion Travel (please correct me if there are any errors or omissions). It is only to provide information on the latest drugs on the market in the world and help Chinese patients understand the latest international new drug trends. It is only for internal discussion among medical staff and does not serve as any basis for medication. For specific medication guidelines, please consult the attending physician.

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