Cat & Dog - Azathioprine

Why has my veterinary surgeon prescribed this medicine?

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive agent that suppresses your pet’s antibody responses and decreases inflammation. Examples of conditions the drug may be used for include immune mediated skin disease, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, polymyositis, eosinophilic enteritis, ulcerative colitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. When taking this medication, your pet may become more susceptible to infections. If you can, keep your pet away from other animals with infections.

Azathioprine is not available as a veterinary preparation in the UK. Your veterinary surgeon may ask you to sign a consent form so a preparation licensed for humans can be used to treat your pet.

How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinary surgeon. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• Tablets should not be divided or crushed.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time(s) each day.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed and DO NOT give the medicine more often than directed.
• DO NOT stop giving this medication unless directed by your veterinary surgeon.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.
• Wash hands after handling the medication, especially if the film coating on the tablets is damaged.
• In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package, leaflet or label to the physician.

What if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.

How do I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine out of reach of children. Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

Potential side effects

• Your veterinary surgeon may monitor your pet’s blood to check for changes to the white blood cells and red blood cells.
• Your pet may experience some stomach upset, such as diarrhoea, vomiting and lack of appetite. If these symptoms persist, contact your veterinary surgeon. If you notice any unusual bleeding, blood in the urine or stool, loss of appetite, infection or red spots on the skin, contact your veterinary surgeon immediately.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinary surgeon.

Possible drug interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinary surgeon what other medication you are giving your pet.
• Quite often your veterinary surgeon may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinary surgeon may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. Although drug interactions may occur, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring.
• Contact your veterinary surgeon if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.