AZATHIOPRINE
6-((1-Methyl-4-nitroimidazol-5-yl)thio)purine; 6-((1-Methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)thio)purine; Imuran; Imurek; Imurel; Methylnitroimidazolylmercaptopurine; Muran; 6-(1'-Methyl-4'-nitro-5'-imidazolyl) mercaptopurine; 6-(1-Methyl-4-nitroimidazol-5-ylthio)purin; 6-(1-Methyl-p-nitro-5-imidazolyl)thiopurine; 6-1'-Methyl,4'-nitro 5'-imidazolyl mercaptopurine; Azamun; Azamun; Azanin; Azasan; Azathioprin; Azathioprinum; Azathioprinum; Azatioprin; Azatioprina; Azothioprine; 6-(3-Methyl-5- nitroimidazol -4-yl)sulfanyl-7H-purine;

AZATHIOPRINE
 

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

CAS RN

 446-86-6, 55774-33-9 (hydrochloride)

EINECS RN

 207-175-4

FORMULA

 C9H7N7O2S

MOLE WEIGHT

 277.26

CLASSIFICATION

Immunosuppressant / Antirheumatic Agent / Mercaptopurine

 

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL STATE

 pale yellow crystalline power

MELTING POINT

 243 C (Decomposes)

BOILING POINT

  

DENSITY

 

SOLUBILITY IN WATER

 Insoluble (very slightly soluble in ethanol, soluble in dilute alkali solution, sparingly soluble in dilute mineral acids)

pH

 

VAPOR DENSITY

 

REFRACTIVE INDEX

  

FLASH POINT

 

 
STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
STABILITY Stable under normal conditions

INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS

Strong oxidizing agents.
DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS

Carbon oxides. nitrogen oxides, Sulphur oxides.
POLYMERIZATION Has not been reported

NFPA RATINGS

Health: 2 Flammability: 1 Reactivity: 0

 

SAFETY

HAZARD NOTES

 Toxic. May cause cancer. Harmful if swallowed. Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.

EYE

 Irritating to eyes.

SKIN

 Irritating to skin.

INGESTION

 Harmful if swallowed.

INHALATION

 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system.
MAIN RISKS AND TARGET ORGANS Azathioprine is a myelotoxic and hepatotoxic immunosuppressive agent. Bone marrow and liver are the main targets but gastrointestinal tract, kidney, lungs, CNS and skin may also be affected. Transient gastroenteritis may be observed with massive overdose. Leukopenia is the main toxic effect which may occur during azathioprine therapy and in the overdose patients. Liver and kidney function tests may be altered but usually returned to normal after discontinuation of the drug. (http://www.inchem.org/)

 

TRANSPORT & REGULATORY INFORMATION

UN NO.

  
HAZARD CLASS

 
PACKING GROUP

 

HAZARD SYMBOL

T

RISK PHRASES

 45-22-36/37/38

SAFETY PHRASES

 53-22-26-36/37-45

 
EXTERNAL LINKS & GENERAL INFORMATION

Azathioprine is used in the treatment of several different types of rheumatic disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Azathioprine has effects on the immune system (the body's own defence system). One of its actions is to reduce the activity of the immune system, so it is always used with care. Doctors may prescribe it for people on steroid treatment so their steroid dose can be smaller. (http://www.arc.org.uk/)

Azathioprine is used as an adjunct for the prevention of the rejection of kidney allografts. The drug is used in conjunction with other immunosuppressive therapy including local radiation therapy, corticosteroids, and other cytotoxic agents. Azathioprine may be used for the treatment of conditions which involve derangement of the immune system including chronic active hepatitis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, pemphigus vulgaris, polyarteritis nodosa, acquired haemolytic anaemia, Crohn's disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenia. (Dollery, 1991; McEvoy, 1993). (http://www.inchem.org/)

The main uses of azathioprine include:

  • the treatment of leukaemia
  • to prevent rejection of transplanted organs
  • in the treatment of active progressive rheumatoid arthritis

Azathioprine is metabolised to mercaptopurine and then to thioinosinate which interferes with purine metabolism. Mercaptopurine interacts with allopurinol. The dose of azathioprine should be reduced if allopurinol is prescribed simultaneously. The most common side-effects of azathioprine are myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity. The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing this drug. (http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/)

Pharmacological actions:

  • Antimetabolite
  • Antineoplastic
  • Immunosuppressant
  • Antirheumatic Agent

 

SALES SPECIFICATION

APPEARANCE

 pale yellow crystalline power

PURITY

98.0% min

 

PRICE INFORMATION