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Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor will watch for others by doing certain tests.
Also, because of the way this medicine acts on the body, there is a chance that it might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or skin cancer. However, the risk of cancer seems to be lower in people taking azathioprine for arthritis. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common- Cough or hoarseness
- Fever or chills
- Lower back or side pain
- Painful or difficult urination
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Black, tarry stools
- Blood in urine or stools
- Pinpoint red spots on skin
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever (sudden)
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (severe)
- Redness or blisters on skin
- Shortness of breath
- Sores in mouth and on lips
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of feet or lower legs
- Unusual feeling of discomfort or illness (sudden)
This medicine may also cause the following side effect that your doctor will watch for:
Less common- Liver problems
For patients taking this medicine for rheumatoid arthritis:
Signs and symptoms of blood problems (black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; cough or hoarseness; fever or chills; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; pinpoint red spots on skin; unusual tiredness or weakness; or unusual bleeding or bruising) are less likely to occur in patients taking azathioprine for rheumatoid arthritis than in patients taking azathioprine for transplant rejection. This is because lower doses are often used.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Skin rash
After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:
- Black, tarry stools
- Blood in urine
- Cough or hoarseness
- Fever or chills
- Lower back or side pain
- Painful or difficult urination
- Pinpoint red spots on skin
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
