Imuran Overdose, Contraindications and Information - Azathioprine

Imuran Overdose, Contraindications and Information - Azathioprine

OVERDOSE

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. About 30%. of azathioprine is bound to serum proteins, but approximately 45% is removed during an 8 hour hemodialysis. A single case has been reported of a renal transplant patient who ingested a single dose of 7500 mg azathioprine. The immediate toxic reactions were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by mild leukopenia, and mild abnormalities in liver function. The white blood cell count, SGOT, and bilirubin returned to normal six days after the overdose.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Azathioprine should not be given to patients who have shown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Azathioprine should not be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in pregnant women. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis previously treated with alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan or others) may have a prohibitive risk of neoplasia if treated with azathioprine.