Azathioprine
Azathioprine
Definition
A purine analogue with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activity. Azathioprine is a prodrug that is converted by hepatic xanthine oxidase to its active metabolite 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). 6-MP is further metabolized by hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) into 6-thioguanosine-5'-phosphate (6-thio-GMP) and 6-thioinosine monophosphate (6-thio-IMP), both inhibit nucleotide conversions and de novo purine synthesis. This leads to inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. As a result, cell proliferation may be inhibited, particularly in lymphocytes and leukocytes.
Also known as 6-[(1-Methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)thio]-1H-purine, AZA, AZATHIOPRINE, AZTP — per NCIT
Also identified as
- ATC L04AX per NCIT
- NCIT NCIT:C290 per NCIT
Indications
| Disease | Relation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graft versus host disease | may prevent | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
| Crohn's disease | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
| Multiple sclerosis | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
| Ulcerative colitis | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
Organ Effects
| Organ | Side effect / interaction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alimentary part of gastrointestinal system | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Bone element | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Central nervous system | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Intestine | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Musculoskeletal system | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Nervous system | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Skeletal joint | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
7 entries above are marked DERIVED: Atlas Médico inferred them by combining two sourced claims, and no source asserts these links directly. Treat them as a navigation aid, not as a clinical statement.