Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is azathioprine. You may hear it called by the brand name 'Imuran'. It helps prevent organ rejection after a transplant. It can also help decrease pain and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis. It may have other uses, too. Azathioprine works by reducing the action of your immune system. 

Azathioprine is available as a tablet and as an infusion into a vein. You should take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you take the tablet, you should drink a full glass of water with your dose. It is important to not miss doses.

In the first few months of your treatment, you may have nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may start you on a low dose to help reduce stomach upset. If you take the tablet, you may want to try taking each dose with a meal. You should tell your doctor if you have stomach upset or other side effects so he or she can help you manage them.

As with any medicine, rare but more serious side effects can occur. With Azathioprine, these include unusual bleeding or bruising, and an increased risk of infections and certain cancers -- like lymphoma and skin cancer. You should protect your skin from the sun. You should ask your doctor which side effects and symptoms to watch for. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and will order blood tests. 

You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines.

Azathioprine can harm unborn babies. Women should talk to their doctors about which birth control methods to use, and for how long. Women must also check before breastfeeding.

For best results with this medicine, be sure to plan ahead for refills.