Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Thiopurine Therapy in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

The aim of this study and review was to make a comparative TPMT enzyme activity analysis using TPMT enzyme expression determination method in IBD patients who are already taking azathioprine drug therapy, with patients who have not yet begun this therapy. The longterm aim is to decrease overall expenses using azathioprine, that could be done if patients would be tested for TPMT expression level before starting therapy with azathioprine, thereby excluding this therapy for patients with higher risk of adverse side effects, reducing medical expenses treating these side effects.