Aza, commonly referring to azathioprine (AZA), is an immunosuppressant medication. It's primarily used to:
- Prevent organ rejection: Particularly after kidney transplants, often in conjunction with other medications. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA): It helps manage the symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis. [1, 2, 3]
Azathioprine works by suppressing the immune system's activity, thus reducing its attack on the transplanted organ or the body's own tissues in the case of autoimmune diseases like RA. [5] Importantly, while sometimes used in other contexts (e.g., multiple sclerosis), these uses are less established than its role in transplantation and RA treatment. [3]
It is crucial to note that "Aza" can also refer to azacitidine (5-aza-cytidine), a different drug used in cancer treatment. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] This drug's mechanism of action differs significantly from azathioprine; it acts by inhibiting DNA methylation, impacting gene expression in cancer cells. It's important to distinguish between these two drugs.
Therefore, when encountering "Aza," context is critical to determine whether azathioprine or azacitidine is being referenced.
