Product Name

Azathioprine

CAS Number

446-86-6

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Product Name:
Azathioprine
CAS Number:
446-86-6
Indication:
For use in rheumatoid arthritis, preventing renal transplant rejection, Crohn’s disease, and colitis.
Mode of Action:

Azathioprine antagonizes purine metabolism and may inhibit synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. It may also interfere with cellular metabolism and inhibit mitosis. Its mechanism of action is likely due to incorporation of thiopurine analogues into the DNA structure, causing chain termination and cytotoxicity.

Pharmacodynamics:

Azathioprine is a chemotherapy drug, now rarely used for chemotherapy but more for immunosuppression in organ transplantation and autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn's disease. It is a pro-drug, converted in the body to the active metabolite 6-mercaptopurine. Azathioprine acts to inhibit purine synthesis necessary for the proliferation of cells, especially leukocytes and lymphocytes. It is a safe and effective drug used alone in certain autoimmune diseases, or in combination with other immunosuppressants in organ transplantation. Its most severe side effect is bone marrow suppression, and it should not be given in conjunction with purine analogues such as allopurinol. The enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) deactivates 6-mercaptopurine. Genetic polymorphisms of TPMT can lead to excessive drug toxicity, thus assay of serum TPMT may be useful to prevent this complication.

Metabolism:

Primarily converted to the active metabolites 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioinosinic acid via a non-enzymatica process. 6-mercaptopurine is subsequently metabolized primarily by xanthine oxidase.

Toxicity:

The oral LD50 for single doses of azathioprine in mice and rats are 2500 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Very large doses of this antimetabolite may lead to marrow hypoplasia, bleeding, infection, and death.

IUPAC:
6-[(1-methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)sulfanyl]-7H-purine
ATC:
L04AX01
PubChem:
2265
DrugBank:
DB00993 (APRD00811)
Formula:
C19H20ClNO4
Molecular Mass:
277.263
Synonyms:
Azathioprin Azathioprine Sodium Azatioprin Azothioprine
SMILES:
CN1C=NC(=C1SC1=NC=NC2=C1NC=N2)[N+]([O-])=O
AHFS Code:
32:00.0
InChi:
LMEKQMALGUDUQG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
General Reference:
General Reference:

  1. Konstantopoulou M, Belgi A, Griffiths KD, Seale JR, Macfarlane AW: Azathioprine-induced pancytopenia in a patient with pompholyx and deficiency of erythrocyte thiopurine methyltransferase. BMJ. 2005 Feb 12;330(7487):350-1. Pubmed
  2. Woodroffe R, Yao GL, Meads C, Bayliss S, Ready A, Raftery J, Taylor RS: Clinical and cost-effectiveness of newer immunosuppressive regimens in renal transplantation: a systematic review and modelling study. Health Technol Assess. 2005 May;9(21):1-179, iii-iv. Pubmed
  3. Gombar VK, Enslein K, Blake BW: Carcinogenicity of azathioprine: an S-AR investigation. Mutat Res. 1993 May;302(1):7-12. Pubmed

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