Before taking Imuran
Tell all your health care providers what medications you are currently taking and what drug allergies you may have. More importantly, be sure to mention if you take cyclosporine or febuxostat, or if you have ever been treated with chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, or melphalan in the past. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to azathioprine.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions you may have and any major past conditions. More importantly, tell your doctor if you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, especially if you are a teenager or young man. Also be sure to mention if you have ever had kidney disease or a kidney transplant (if using for arthritis), any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, liver disease, or chemotherapy with medications like cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, busulfan, and others.
It is recommended you do not start treatment if you are pregnant; only use this medication if the benefit outweighs the risk.
During treatment
Treatment with Imuran may cause a rare kind of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal.
Do not breast feed during treatment. This drug may pass into breast milk.
This medication may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Acoid spending an extended period of time in the sun while using Imuran. Use sun protective clothing and accessories (like hats) and wear sunscreen; reapply often. Avoid the use of tanning beds.
Increased risk of worsening or new infections is presented when taking Imuran. Avoid contact with people who have infections that are contagious and ensure you are washing your hands throughout the day after using the bathroom, after touching commonly handled objects (like railings and doorknobs), after coughing or sneezing and before and after eating to help ensure you do not get an infection of any kind.