Imuran Online, Description, Chemistry, Ingredients - Azathioprine

Imuran Online, Description, Chemistry, Ingredients - Azathioprine

DESCRIPTION

Azathioprine, an immunosuppressive antimetabolite, is available in tablet form for oral administration. Each scored tablet contains 50 mg azathioprine and the inactive ingredients anhydrous lactose, starch (corn), povidone, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid.

Azathioprine is chemically 6-((1-methyl-4-nitroimidazol-5-yl)thio)purine. Its molecular weight is 277.26.

It is an imidazolyl derivative of 6-mercaptopurine and many of its biological eftects are similar to those of the parent compound.

Azathioprine is insoluble in water, but may be dissolved with addition of one molar equivalent of alkali. The sodium salt of azathioprine is sufficiently soluble to make a 10 mg/mL water solution which is stable for 24 hours at 59º to 77º F (15º to 25º C). Azathioprine is stable in solution at neutral or acid pH but hydrolysis to mercaptopurine occurs in excess sodium hydroxide (0.1N), especially on warming. Conversion to mercaptopurine also occurs in the presence of sulfhydryl compounds such as cysteine, glutathione and hydrogen sulfide.