Medications & Complications

Medications

IMURAN® (azathioprine)

Purpose:
IMURAN is given with other immunosuppressants to help prevent rejection of the new liver. It may be used for long-term (perhaps lifetime) immunosuppression.

How to take:

  • Tablets - 50 mg; liquid - 10 mg per mL. IV IMURAN may be given for the first few days after transplantation.

  • The transplant team will determine the dosage appropriate for each patient based on weight and white blood cell count.

Precautions:

  • IMURAN may lower white blood cell and platelet counts. The patient should report any unusual bruising or bleeding to the transplant team.

  • The benefits of taking this medication if a patient is pregnant or breast feeding must be weighed against the potential hazards to her, her fetus, or her infant. A patient should consult her transplant team immediately if she thinks she's pregnant.

Principal side effects:
These include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, and reduced white blood cells and/or platelets.



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University of Southern California USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease
1510 San Pablo Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles CA 90033-4612
Phone: (323) 442-5908     Fax: (323) 442-5721
E-mail: uscliver@surgery.hsc.usc.edu