Imuran

Imuran weakens your body's immune system to help prevent it from "rejecting" a transplanted organ like a kidney. Organ rejection occurs when the immune system sees the new organ as a threat and attacks it.

Imuran is used to stop your body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. This medicine is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Imuran may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Your doctor will do blood tests to ensure you do not have conditions that would make it unsafe for you to use Imuran.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

When used for a kidney transplant, Imuran is usually given right before or on the day of the transplant. For rheumatoid arthritis, this medicine is taken every day.

It may take up to 8 weeks for your symptoms to improve. Keep using Imuran as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 12 weeks of use.

Take Imuran with food if it upsets your stomach.

You may not be able to keep taking other arthritis medications along with Imuran. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.

Imuran affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, including serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to check on you regularly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.

Imuran may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has mainly happened in teenagers and young men with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

You should not take Imuran if you are allergic to Imuran.

You should not use Imuran to treat rheumatoid arthritis if you are pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.

Imuran may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. This has mainly occurred in teenagers and young men with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. However, anyone with an inflammatory autoimmune disorder may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

While taking Imuran, you may have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease, or a kidney transplant (if you are using Imuran for rheumatoid arthritis);
• any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection;
• liver disease; or
• chemotherapy with medications like cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, busulfan, and others.

You should not breast-feed while you are using Imuran.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Imuran may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Stop using Imuran and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of lymphoma:

• fever, swollen glands, body aches, night sweats, not feeling well;
• pale skin, rash, easy bruising or bleeding;
• cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder; or
• feeling full after eating only a small amount, weight loss.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of infection (fever, chills, weakness, flu symptoms, sore throat, cough, pain or burning when you urinate);
• severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath;
• pale skin, cold hands and feet; or
• dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Imuran may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• hair loss; or
• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Imuran can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Imuran. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, and varicella (chickenpox).

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Imuran, especially:

• allopurinol;
• febuxostat; or
• ribavirin.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Imuran. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.