Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking azathioprine

You can take azathioprine during pregnancy.

It's particularly important to continue taking it if you have an autoimmune condition or have had an organ transplant, as you need it to keep you healthy. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor.

As azathioprine affects the immune system, it means that after your baby is born, there's a very small risk it can affect the way they fight infections.

If your baby is unwell, speak to a doctor, your midwife or health visitor for advice. It's important to tell them that you took azathioprine during pregnancy.

Azathioprine can occasionally affect your liver. If you get itching while taking azathioprine, speak to a doctor or your midwife, as you may need tests.

If your doctor, health visitor or midwife says your baby is healthy, you can take azathioprine if you are breastfeeding.

It's important to continue taking azathioprine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

Azathioprine passes into breast milk in tiny amounts. It's been taken by many breastfeeding mothers, and it does not usually cause any side effects in breastfed babies.

As a precaution, if you're taking a high dose of azathioprine, your baby might need some extra blood tests.

Talk to your health visitor, midwife, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any concerns about your baby. This includes:

• not feeding as well as usual
• getting frequent infections

There's no evidence to suggest that taking azathioprine reduces fertility in either men or women.

However, speak to your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding