The medicine azathioprine can cause immunosuppression because azathioprine is an immunosuppressant.
Azathioprine works by suppressing or "calming" your immune system.
This means your immune system becomes weaker.
If you take azathioprine for an inflammatory or autoimmune condition, it slows down the production of new cells in your body's immune system.
Immunosuppression is when a person has a weakened immune system.
People who are immunosuppressed have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases.
This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders.
Some examples of immunosuppression include.
Calcineurin Inhibitors: Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine.
Antiproliferative agents: Mycophenolate Mofetil, Mycophenolate Sodium and Azathioprine.
mTOR inhibitor: Sirolimus.
Steroids: Prednisone.
Symptoms of Immunosuppression include.
Frequent and recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, meningitis or skin infections.
Inflammation and infection of internal organs.
Blood disorders, such as low platelet counts or anemia.
Digestive problems, such as cramping, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea.
People are said to be immunosuppressed when they have an immunodeficiency disorder due to medicines that weaken the immune system (such as corticosteroids).
Immunosuppression is also a common side effect of chemotherapy given to treat cancer.