Antiproliferative agents (azathioprine and mycophe

Antiproliferative agents (azathioprine and mycophenolic acid)

These drugs are antiproliferative agents. Their mechanism of action is to block purine nucleotide synthesis. This prevents replication of DNA and thus interferes with lymphocyte prolif eration. The main side e ff ects of both drugs are bone marrow suppression (anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia) and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea).