Azathioprine

Question 1

what is azathioprine

Answer 1

Antagonist of purine metabolism

Question 2

how does azathioprine act?

Answer 2

Azathioprine acts to inhibit purine synthesis, and therefore inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis leading to an inhibition of cell proliferation

Question 3

what is azathioprine used to treat

Answer 3

It is used to treat auto-immune diseases, and also transplant recipients

Question 4

mechanism of action of azathioprine

Answer 4

Its mechanism of action is probably incorporation of thiopurine analogues into the DNA structure, causing chain termination and cytotoxicity

Question 5

most severe side effect of azathioprine

Answer 5

Its most severe side effect is bone marrow suppression

Question 6

what shouldnt azathioprine be used with?

Answer 6

purine analogues such as allopurinol

Question 7

which enzyme deactivates 6-mercaptopurine

Answer 7

thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT)

Question 8

what complication can an assay of serum of TPMT be useful to prevent

Answer 8

The enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) deactivates 6-mercaptopurine.. Genetic polymorphisms of TPMT can lead to excessive drug toxicity

Question 9

what is essential in long term treatment with azathioprine?

Answer 9

Blood tests and monitoring for signs of myelosuppression