azathioprine

American  

[az-uh-thahy-uh-preen] / ˌæz əˈθaɪ əˌprin /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a cytotoxic purine analog, C 9 H 7 N 7 O 2 S, used as an immunosuppressive in organ transplantations and in rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue disorders.

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azathioprine British  

/ ˌæzəˈθaɪəˌpriːn /

noun

1. a synthetic drug that suppresses the normal immune responses of the body and is administered orally during and after organ transplantation and also in certain types of autoimmune disease. Formula: C 9 H 7 N 7 O 2 S

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Etymology

Origin of azathioprine

1960–65; coinage apparently based on imidazol, thio-, and purine, parts of the chemical name

Example Sentences

An immunosuppressant called azathioprine, which is used in pregnancy, risked harming her liver, so Clowse cut the dose.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 16, 2022

A major factor in boosting the cure rate in the past two years, said Dr. Murray, has been a steady reduction in the dosage of azathioprine.

From Time Magazine Archive

A mixture of azathioprine, prednisone and antilymphocyte globulin was the choice in the 1960s.

From Time Magazine Archive

In 1957 Elion and Hitchings developed the drug, azathioprine, that controlled rejection in organ transplants.

From Time Magazine Archive