Mercaptopurine

Generic name: Mercaptopurine
Drug class: Antimetabolites

Usage of Mercaptopurine

Mercaptopurine is used to treat acute lymphoblastic or lymphocytic leukemia. Mercaptopurine is sometimes given with other cancer medications.

Mercaptopurine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Mercaptopurine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mercaptopurine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

liver problems--loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upper stomach pain, swelling in your midsection, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

symptoms of lymphoma--fever, night sweats, tiredness, stomach bloating, feeling full, weight loss.

Common side effects of mercaptopurine may include:

low blood cell counts;

bruising or bleeding;

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

diarrhea;

rash, changes in skin color;

hair loss; or

general ill feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Mercaptopurine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to mercaptopurine or thioguanine, or if you have ever used mercaptopurine or thioguanine and they were not effective in treating your condition.

Mercaptopurine may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Using mercaptopurine may also increase your risk of developing other types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

kidney disease;

an inherited condition in which your body cannot produce enough of the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT);

any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection; or

ulcerative colitis (treated with mesalamine, sulfasalazine, or similar medicines).

Mercaptopurine may harm an unborn baby, especially when used during the first trimester. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while taking mercaptopurine.

Relate drugs

How to use Mercaptopurine

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use care when handling mercaptopurine tablets or oral suspension. mercaptopurine may be dangerous if it gets in your eyes or on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Seek medical attention if you have redness, itching, or swelling even after rinsing off the medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of unused medicine no longer needed.

Mercaptopurine can increase your risk of bleeding, infection, or liver problems. You will need frequent medical tests. Your next dose may be delayed based on the results.

Mercaptopurine can affect your kidneys. Drink plenty of liquids to keep your kidneys working properly.

You may be given other medication to help prevent serious side effects on your kidneys. Keep using this medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Store mercaptopurine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

You should not use mercaptopurine if you have ever used mercaptopurine or thioguanine and they were not effective in treating your condition.

Some people using mercaptopurine have developed a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and it can be fatal.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of lymphoma, such as: fever, night sweats, tiredness, stomach bloating, feeling full, easy bruising or bleeding, or weight loss.

What other drugs will affect Mercaptopurine

Mercaptopurine can harm your liver, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, tuberculosis, depression, birth control, hormone replacement, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures, pain, or arthritis (including Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

allopurinol;

olsalazine, mesalazine, sulfasalazine or similar medicines;

sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; or

warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect mercaptopurine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.