How it works

Azathioprine is a medication used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used by people with rheumatoid arthritis as well as other inflammatory conditions or following an organ transplant.
Azathioprine is part of a group of medications known as thiopurines which are immunosuppressants. This means that azathioprine works to reduce the activity of your immune system. In IBD the immune system is attacking the digestive system which results in inflammation. Azathioprine reduces the number of white blood cells in the body – the immune system relies on these white blood cells and by reducing them it interrupts the immune system’s function.
By interrupting the immune process, Azathioprine reduces inflammation and slows joint damage caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis and slows down the progression of disease.
Azathioprine prevents the body from rejecting a transplanted organ. Azothioprine is typically used with other drugs after a organ transplant.
Azathioprine was effective at reducing annual relapse rates of Neuromyelitus Optica.