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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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