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( ARTG ) Immunosuppressant antimetabolite: either alone, or more commonly, in combination with other agents (usually corticosteroids) and procedures which influence the immune response.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ Therapeutic effect may be evident only after weeks or months and can include a steroid-sparing effect, thereby reducing the toxicity associated with high dosage and prolonged usage of corticosteroids. Azathioprine, in combination with corticosteroids and/or other immunosuppressive agents and procedures, is indicated in the management of patients receiving organ transplants. Azathioprine, either alone or more usually in combination with corticosteroids and/or other procedures, has been used with clinical benefit which may include reduction of dosage or discontinuation of corticosteroids, in a proportion of patients suffering from the following: severe rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, pemphigus vulgaris, polyarteritis nodosa, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.