Imuran Dosage

Factors that can affect your Imuran dosage include the medical condition being treated, how your body responds to Imuran, and your weight. The recommended starting dose for preventing rejection after a kidney transplant is 3 mg to 5 mg per kg once daily. For treating rheumatoid arthritis, the starting Imuran dosage is 1 mg per kg daily (taken at once or divided into two smaller doses).

 

Imuran Dosage: An Overview

The dose of Imuran® (azathioprine) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • How your body responds to Imuran (some people do not clear the drug from the body as well as others)
  • Your weight
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Imuran dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so. People with poor kidney function may need lower Imuran dosages. Also, a test can be done to see if you have low levels of thiopurine S-methyl transferase (TSMT), an enzyme that helps clear Imuran from the body. If you have low TSMT levels, you will need a low dose (or a different medication altogether) in order to prevent serious side effects.
 

Imuran Dosage for Kidney Transplantation

The recommended starting dose of Imuran for preventing kidney transplant rejection is Imuran 3 mg to 5 mg per kg (about 1.4 mg to 2.3 mg per pound) once daily, starting the day of (or sometimes a few days before) the transplant. Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose to Imuran 1 mg to 3 mg per kg (about 0.45 mg to 1.4 mg per pound) once daily if you are doing well.
 

Imuran Dosage for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The recommended starting Imuran dosage for rheumatoid arthritis treatment is Imuran 1 mg per kg (about 0.45 mg per pound) per day, usually between 50 mg to 100 mg per day. It can be taken once daily or split up into two doses per day. After eight weeks, your healthcare provider may increase your dose, if necessary.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;