Imuran vs. Azulfidine

• Are Imuran and Azulfidine the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Imuran?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Azulfidine?
• What is Imuran?
• What is Azulfidine?
• What Drugs Interact with Imuran?
• What Drugs Interact with Azulfidine?
• How Should Imuran Be Taken?
• How Should Azulfidine Be Taken?

Imuran (azathioprine) and Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine delayed release tablets) are used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Imuran is also used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney.

Azulfidine EN-tabs is also used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.

Imuran and Azulfidine belong to different drug classes. Imuran is an immunosuppressive antimetabolite and Azulfidine is an anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulatory agent.

Side effects of Imuran and Azulfidine that are similar include upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or skin rash.

Side effects of Imuran that are different from Azulfidine include hair loss.

Side effects of Azulfidine that are different from Imuran include headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, spinning sensation, unusual tiredness, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, sleep problems (insomnia), or itching. Azulfidine may also cause temporary male infertility.

Imuran may interact with allopurinol, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, blood thinners, cyclosporine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine, sulfamethoxasole, trimethoprim, or ACE inhibitors.

Azulfidine may interact with digoxin, folic acid, or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid.

Common side effects of Imuran include:

• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• loss of appetite,
• hair loss, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Imuran including:

• muscle loss,
• hair loss,
• cold/numbness in the fingers,
• mouth sores,
• difficult/painful swallowing, or
• greasy stools.

Common side effects of Azulfidine include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• ringing in your ears,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• unusual tiredness,
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips,
• sleep problems (insomnia), or
• itching or skin rash.

Azulfidine may cause temporary male infertility. This effect is reversible when Azulfidine is stopped. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Azulfidine including:

• sun sensitivity,
• hearing changes,
• mental/mood changes,
• painful urination,
• blood in the urine,
• changes in the amount of urine,
• new lump or growth in the neck (goiter),
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet,
• signs of low blood sugar (e.g., hunger, cold sweat, blurred vision, weakness, fast heartbeat), or
• swollen glands.

Imuran (azathioprine) is an immunosuppressive antimetabolite used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney. Imuran is also used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Imuran is available in generic form.

Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine delayed release tablets) is an anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulatory agent used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Azulfidine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms. Azulfidine is available in generic form.

Imuran may interact with other medicines that weaken the immune system.

Imuran may interact with allopurinol, methotrexate, blood thinners, olsalazine, sulfasalazine, sulfamethoxasole, trimethoprim, or ACE inhibitors.

Azulfidine EN-tabs may interact with digoxin, folic acid, or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid. There may be other drugs that can interact with Azulfidine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Azulfidine EN-tabs should be used only when prescribed. Caution is advised if this medication is used near the expected delivery date because similar drugs may cause harm to a newborn. This medication may lower folic acid levels, increasing the risk of spinal cord defects. Consult your doctor about taking enough folic acid. This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The dose of Imuran to prevent transplant rejection and minimize toxicity varies. The initial dose is usually 3 to 5 mg/kg daily, beginning at the time of transplant. It is usually given as a single daily dose on the day of, and in some cases 1 to 3 days before, transplantation. Maintenance levels of 1 to 3 mg/kg daily are usually possible. For rheumatoid arthritis, the initial dose is approx. 1.0 mg/kg (50 to 100 mg) given as a single dose or twice-daily. Maximum dose is 2.5 mg/kg per day.

Adult doses of Azulfidine range from 1000 mg to 4000 mg daily, taken 2 to 4 times daily depending on the condition being treated. Pediatric doses are determined by weight.