AZATHIOPRINE Meaning and
Definition
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Azathioprine is a term primarily used in the field of medicine, specifically pharmacology and therapeutics. It refers to a synthetic immunosuppressive drug that acts as an antimetabolite. Azathioprine is classified as an immunosuppressant because it effectively suppresses the activity of the immune system, preventing it from attacking foreign substances and potentially harmful agents.
The drug is commonly prescribed to patients who have undergone organ transplantation as a means to prevent the recipient's immune system from rejecting the transplanted organ. Additionally, it is employed in the management of various autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Azathioprine specifically works by inhibiting the production of DNA and RNA, interfering with the normal replication and function of rapidly dividing cells, which includes certain immune cells. By doing so, it suppresses the immune response and reduces inflammation.
Although azathioprine is effective in managing immune-related conditions, it does carry certain risks and potential side effects. These include increased susceptibility to infections, bone marrow suppression, liver toxicity, and a heightened risk of developing certain types of cancer. It is typically prescribed under careful medical supervision, and patients may undergo regular blood tests to monitor potential adverse effects.
Overall, azathioprine is an important therapeutic agent in immunosuppression, used to manage immune-mediated diseases and prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients.
Common Misspellings for AZATHIOPRINE
- zzathioprine
- szathioprine
- wzathioprine
- qzathioprine
- axathioprine
- asathioprine
- aaathioprine
- azzthioprine
- azsthioprine
- azwthioprine
- azqthioprine
- azarhioprine
- azafhioprine
- azaghioprine
- azayhioprine
- aza6hioprine
- aza5hioprine
- azatgioprine
- azatbioprine
- azathioprinee
Etymology of AZATHIOPRINE
The word "azathioprine" comes from the combination of the prefix "aza-" and the words "thio" and "purine".
- The prefix "aza-" in this context is derived from the German word "Azetyl" and refers to the chemical compound "azimuth", an isomer of acetone.
- "Thio" is a prefix that denotes the presence of a sulfur atom in a compound.
- "Purine" refers to a class of organic compounds that contain two rings fused together, commonly found in DNA and RNA.
Therefore, "azathioprine" refers to a compound that is a derivative of the purine molecule, with the addition of an azo group ("aza-") and a sulfur atom ("-thio").
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