Imuran Uses

Imuran uses are primarily concerned with preventing organ rejection after a kidney transplant and treating active rheumatoid arthritis. It is not entirely clear how the medication works, but it is believed to work mostly by suppressing the immune system. Imuran is not approved for use in children. Some of the possible off-label Imuran uses include treating Crohn's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ulcerative colitis.

 

An Overview of Imuran Uses

Imuran® (azathioprine) is a prescription medication that is approved for the following uses:
 
  • To be used along with other medications to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant
  • To reduce the signs and symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis.
     

Imuran Uses for Kidney Transplants

Kidney transplantation is the process of removing a kidney from an organ donor and surgically transplanting it into a different person who has kidney failure. This procedure can allow people to be free from the time-consuming process of dialysis. However, the body's immune system can "reject" the kidney. The immune system recognizes the kidney as being foreign and attacks it. In order to prevent this from happening, medications must be taken indefinitely to suppress the immune system.
 
Imuran is used in combination with other immune-suppressing medications to prevent rejection of a transplanted kidney.
 

Imuran Uses for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that, for some reason, the immune system mistakes a person's own cells as invaders and attacks them, causing damage. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, scientists still do not know the cause or causes of rheumatoid arthritis.
 
There are many rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, including chronic pain, along with tender, warm, and swollen joints. Imuran is approved to treat these signs and symptoms, as well as preventing future joint damage.
 
For rheumatoid arthritis treatment, Imuran can be used alone or in combination with other rheumatoid arthritis medications.
 
(Imuran Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;