Title: Azathioprine
CAS Registry Number: 446-86-6
CAS Name: 6-[(1-Methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)thio]-1H-purine
Additional Names: 6-(1-methyl-4-nitro-5-imidazolyl)mercaptopurine; azothioprine
Manufacturers' Codes: BW-57-322; NSC-39084
Trademarks: Azanin (Tanabe); Imuran (GSK); Imurek (GSK); Imurel (GSK); Zytrim (Isis Puren)
Molecular Formula: C9H7N7O2S
Molecular Weight: 277.26
Percent Composition: C 38.99%, H 2.54%, N 35.36%, O 11.54%, S 11.56%
Literature References: Immunosuppressive antimetabolite; also active as disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Metabolized in vivo to 6-mercaptopurine, q.v. Prepn: G. H. Hitchings, G. B. Elion, US 3056785 (1962 to Burroughs Wellcome). Metabolism and pharmacokinetics: T. L. Ding, L. Z. Benet, Drug Metab. Dispos. 7, 373 (1979). Carcinogenicity studies: P. S. Mitrou et al., Arzneim.-Forsch. 29, 483, 662 (1979). HPLC determn in plasma: E. C. Van Os et al., J. Chromatogr. B 679, 147 (1996). Clinical trial in rheumatoid arthritis: R. F. Wilkens, D. Stablein, J. Rheumatol. 23, Suppl. 44, 64 (1996). Comprehensive description: W. P. Wilson, S. A. Benezra, Anal. Profiles Drug Subs. 10, 29-53 (1981). Review of clinical efficacy in renal transplantation: G. L. C. Chan et al., Pharmacotherapy 7, 165-177 (1987); in multiple sclerosis: C. Confavreux, T. Moreau, Mult. Scler. 1, 379-384 (1996); in inflammatory bowel disease: W. J. Sandborn, Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 33, Suppl. 225, 92-99 (1998).
Properties: Pale yellow crystals from 50% aq acetone, dec 243-244°. uv max (methanol): 276 nm (e 1.82 ´ 104); (0.1N HCl): 280 nm (e 1.73 ´ 104); (0.1N NaOH): 285 nm (e 1.55 ´ 104). pKa2 8.2. Slightly sol in chloroform, ethanol. Practically insol in water.
pKa: pKa2 8.2
Absorption maximum: uv max (methanol): 276 nm (e 1.82 ´ 104); (0.1N HCl): 280 nm (e 1.73 ´ 104); (0.1N NaOH): 285 nm (e 1.55 ´ 104)
Derivative Type: Sodium salt
CAS Registry Number: 55774-33-9
Molecular Formula: C9H6N7NaO2S
Molecular Weight: 299.24
Percent Composition: C 36.12%, H 2.02%, N 32.77%, Na 7.68%, O 10.69%, S 10.72%
Properties: Soly in water: 10 mg/ml.
CAUTION: Azathioprine is listed as a known human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-25.
Therap-Cat: Immunosuppressant; antirheumatic.
Keywords: Antiarthritic/Antirheumatic; Immunosuppressant. |