Rx Generic Imuran Azathioprine Drug Medication Information

Generic Imuran Azathioprine is used for:Preventing kidney transplant rejection along with other medicine. It may also be used to treat signs and symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.Generic Imuran Azathioprine is an antimetabolite. It works by decreasing the effects of certain cells in the body’s immune system.Do NOT use Generic Imuran Azathioprine if:you are allergic to any ingredient in Rx Imuran Azathioprine you have a tumor or an unusual growth you have rheumatoid arthritis and are pregnant you are taking mercaptopurine you have rheumatoid arthritis and have used alkylating agents (eg, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan) in the past Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.Before using Generic Imuran Azathioprine :Some medical conditions may interact with Imuran Azathioprine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have kidney or liver problems, or gout if you have an infection, a history of frequent or prolonged infections, or you have recently had a vaccination if you have a history of bone marrow problems, anemia, low white blood cell or platelet levels, or unusual bruising or bleeding if you have certain enzyme deficiencies (thiopurine methyltransferase [TPMT] or xanthine oxidase) or you have recently had a blood transfusion if you are taking a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) (eg, methotrexate, adalimumab) Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Rx Imuran Azathioprine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:Alkylating agents (eg, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan) because the risk of developing a tumor may be increased Mercaptopurine because severe toxic effects, including severe bone marrow suppression or death, may occur Allopurinol, aminosalicylates (eg, mesalazine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), doxorubicin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole because they may increase the risk of Azathioprine ’s side effects Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Azathioprine This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Rx Imuran Azathioprine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.How to use Generic Imuran Azathioprine :Use Rx Imuran Azathioprine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.Take Rx Imuran Azathioprine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation. Ask your doctor if you should follow any special guidelines for handling Rx Imuran Azathioprine. If you miss a dose of Rx Imuran Azathioprine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Rx Imuran Azathioprine.Important safety information:Generic Imuran Azathioprine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. Generic Imuran Azathioprine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Rx Imuran Azathioprine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are taking Rx Imuran Azathioprine. Contact your doctor at once if you develop severe nausea and vomiting. This may occur with or without diarrhea, rash, fever, muscle pain, or dizziness. If this reaction occurs, it usually happens within the first several weeks of therapy. Generic Imuran Azathioprine may increase your risk of developing a tumor or other cancer. Contact your doctor at once if you notice any unusual growths or lumps. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. An enzyme called TPMT helps to break Rx Imuran Azathioprine down in the body. Infrequently, some patients may have decreased TPMT enzyme activity. This may increase the risk of developing serious side effects (eg, severe bone marrow problems). Patients with decreased TPMT enzyme activity may need a lower dose of Azathioprine. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Lab tests, including complete blood counts, liver function, and TPMT enzyme activity, may be performed while you use Azathioprine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Rx Imuran Azathioprine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and efficacy in children have not been confirmed. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Azathioprine has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Rx Imuran Azathioprine while you are pregnant. Azathioprine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Rx Imuran Azathioprine. Possible side effects of Generic Imuran Azathioprine :All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:Mild nausea or vomiting.Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:Severe allergic reactions (rash; itching; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain or tightness; dark urine; dizziness; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased or painful urination; muscle pain or aches; pale or fatty stools; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; shortness of breath; stomach pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual growths or lumps; unusual weakness or fatigue; yellowing of the eyes or skin.What is the shelf life of the pills?The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.You can buy Rx Generic Imuran Azathioprine drug medication at a online canadian pharmacy at discount prices.

Biologic therapy has revolutionized our approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Less than 10 years ago, the best we could hope for was to “modify disease” or slow it down and also help with symptoms. Now the goal is to not only control symptoms, it is to get RA into complete remission. Biologics are protein-based medicines that are synthesized in a laboratory. They act like laser beams to target the immune abnormalities that are felt to cause RA.

First generation biologics such as etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira) are known as TNF-inhibitors and have done wonders for many patients. Second generation biologic such as rituximab (Rituxan) which acts against B cells and abatacept (Orencia) which works on T cells are both welcome additions to the arsenal of weapons available to combat RA.

Cimzia (certolizumab) is an investigational TNF-inhibitor. It differs from the current crop of TNF-inhibitors since it is “pegylated.” This means that a substance called polyethylene glycol has been attached to the molecule. This pegylation lengthens the half-life of the drug- meaning the drug stays in the system longer. Cimzia also has had a piece of protein removed from the molecule. The piece of protein that has been removed contained a small amount of mouse protein (yes… these drugs are often created using mouse proteins). By removing the piece of mouse protein, it is hoped that Cimzia will cause fewer adverse reactions.

A recent presentation on June 14, 2007 at the annual meeting of the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) described data on Cimzia.

The team studied 2 dose regimens, which patients received subcutaneously as add-on therapy to methotrexate.

In a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, the investigators recruited 992 patients with RA who received either the study drug or placebo. The investigators wanted to know the rate at which people had a 20% improvement, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR 20).

The patients, who had previously been treated for at least 6 months with methotrexate, were randomized to treatment with either pegylated certolizumab or placebo. Those on treatment received 3 400-mg doses every 2 weeks, followed by 200 or 400 mg doses of certolizumab pegol every 2 weeks. The patients continued methotrexate as usual. The investigators assessed the efficacy and safety parameters at 2-week intervals.

In an early analysis at 24 weeks, the investigators found that 581 patients completed the study: 259 of the 397 on 200 mg of the drug, 278 of the 394 on 400 mg, and 44 of the 201 on placebo. The ACR20 response rate was 59.2% in the 200 mg group, 61.2% in the 400 mg group, and 13.5% of those who received methotrexate and placebo. The proportion of patients who experienced a significant side effect was 74.0% in the 200 mg group, 76.1% in the 400 mg group, and 57.7% in the placebo group. The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate.

“Pegylated certolizumab adds significant benefit in reducing the signs and symptoms of RA in combination with methotrexate, compared to using methotrexate alone,” said lead investigator Edward C. Keystone, MD, professor of medicine at the University in Toronto, and director of the Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease, in Ontario.

Bottom line: Pegylated certolizumab works like a TNF blocker and appears to treat the signs and symptoms of RA. Whether it’s better than the TNF blockers that are currently available is still no known. It is better than placebo.