ADVERSE REACTIONS
The principal and potentially serious toxic effects of AZASAN® are hematologic and gastrointestinal. The risks of secondary infection and neoplasia are also significant (see WARNINGS). The frequency and severity of adverse reactions depend on the dose and duration of AZASAN® as well as on the patient's underlying disease or concomitant therapies. The incidence of hematologic toxicities and neoplasia encountered in groups of renal homograft recipients is significantly higher than that in studies employing AZASAN® for rheumatoid arthritis. The relative incidences in clinical studies are summarized below:
|
Toxicity
|
Renal
Homograft
|
Rheumatoid
Arthritis
|
|
Leukopenia
|
|
|
|
Any Degree
|
>50%
|
28%
|
|
<2500/mm3 |
16%
|
5.3%
|
|
Infections
|
20%
|
<1%
|
|
Neoplasia
|
|
* |
|
Lymphoma
|
0.5%
|
|
|
Others
|
2.8%
|
|
| *Data on the rate and risk of neoplasia among persons with rheumatoid arthritis treated with azathioprine are limited. The incidence of lymphoproliferative disease in patients with RA appears to be significantly higher than that in the general population. In one completed study, the rate of lymphoproliferative disease in RA patients receiving higher than recommended doses of azathioprine (5 mg/kg/day) was 1.8 cases per 1000 patient years of follow-up, compared with 0.8 cases per 1000 patient years of follow-up in those not receiving azathioprine. However, the proportion of the increased risk attributable to the azathioprine dosage or to other therapies (i.e., alkylating agents) received by azathioprine-treated patients cannot be determined. |
|
Hematologic: Leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia are dose dependent and may occur late in the course of therapy with AZASAN®. Dose reduction or temporary withdrawal allows reversal of these toxicities. Infection may occur as a secondary manifestation of bone marrow suppression or leukopenia, but the incidence of infection in renal homotransplantation is 30 to 60 times that in rheumatoid arthritis. Macrocytic anemia and/or bleeding have been reported in two patients on azathioprine.
Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting may occur within the first few months of AZASAN® therapy, and occurred in approximately 12% of 676 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The frequency of gastric disturbance often can be reduced by administration of the drug in divided doses and/or after meals. However, in some patients, nausea and vomiting may be severe and may be accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, malaise, and myalgias (see PRECAUTIONS). Vomiting with abdominal pain may occur rarely with a hypersensitivity pancreatitis. Hepatotoxicity manifest by elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and/or serum transaminases is known to occur following azathioprine use, primarily in allograft recipients. Hepatotoxicity has been uncommon (less than 1%) in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Hepatotoxicity following transplantation most often occurs within 6 months of transplantation and is generally reversible after interruption of AZASAN®. A rare, but life-threatening hepatic
veno-occlusive disease associated with chronic administration of azathioprine has been described in transplant patients and in one patient receiving azathioprine for panuveitis. Periodic measurement of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin is indicated for early detection of hepatotoxicity. If hepatic veno-occlusive disease is clinically suspected, AZASAN® should be permanently withdrawn. Others: Additional side effects of low frequency have been reported. These include skin rashes (approximately 2%), alopecia, fever, arthralgias, diarrhea, steatorrhea and negative nitrogen balance (all less than 1%).
|
REPORTS OF SUSPECTED AZASAN SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS
Below is a sample of reports where side effects / adverse reactions may be related to Azasan. The information is not vetted and should not be considered as verified clinical evidence.
Possible Azasan side effects / adverse reactions in 71 year old male
Reported by a individual with unspecified qualification from United States on 2012-06-11
Patient: 71 year old male
Reactions: Muscle Atrophy, Stomatitis, Chills, Hypoaesthesia, Pyrexia, Fatigue, Joint Swelling, Alopecia, Oedema Peripheral, Abdominal Distension, Asthenia
Suspect drug(s):
Azasan
Other drugs received by patient: Azacal
|
