dexamethasone + azathioprine

Dexamethasone + azathioprine is a combination therapy consisting of two distinct pharmaceutical agents used together, primarily for their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid that acts by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, inhibiting pro-inflammatory signals and promoting anti-inflammatory gene expression. Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive purine analog that inhibits purine synthesis, thereby suppressing DNA and RNA production in rapidly proliferating immune cells (especially T and B lymphocytes). This combination has been reported as effective in cases where monotherapy with corticosteroids was insufficient, such as recurrent erythema multiforme unresponsive to systemic corticosteroids[1][2]. The combined use leverages dexamethasone’s rapid anti-inflammatory action with azathioprine’s longer-term immunosuppression to control disease activity and reduce recurrence risk.