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NCI Drug Dictionary


azathioprine sodium 
The sodium salt form of azathioprine, a pro-drug of purine analogue with immunosuppressive activity. Azathioprine is converted in vivo to its active metabolite 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), which substitutes for the normal nucleoside and mistakenly gets incorporated into DNA sequences. This leads to inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. As a result, cell proliferation may be inhibited, particularly in lymphocytes and leukocytes. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
US brand name:Imuran
Foreign brand name:Imurel
Abbreviations:AZA
AZTP