mercaptopurine

(mer cap toe PUE reen)
Purinethol

What is the most important information I should know about mercaptopurine?

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Mercaptopurine should only be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

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Serious side effects have been reported with the use of mercaptopurine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); liver problems such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, dark colored urine, or light colored stools; severe nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with mercaptopurine.

What is mercaptopurine?

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Mercaptopurine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Mercaptopurine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

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Mercaptopurine is used in the treatment of acute lymphatic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia.

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Mercaptopurine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mercaptopurine?

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Before taking mercaptopurine, tell your doctor if you have

had recent vaccinations;

liver problems;

kidney problems;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

bone marrow problems;

any type of infection; or

have previously been treated with thioguanine (Tabloid) for the current or a previous medical condition.

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You may not be able to take mercaptopurine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Mercaptopurine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that mercaptopurine is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take mercaptopurine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with mercaptopurine.

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It is unknown whether mercaptopurine passes into breast milk. Do not take mercaptopurine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take mercaptopurine?

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Take mercaptopurine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Mercaptopurine should only be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

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Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with mercaptopurine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

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Mercaptopurine is taken by mouth. Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests (e.g., liver function monitoring, blood counts) or other medical evaluations during treatment with mercaptopurine to monitor progress and side effects.

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Store mercaptopurine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of mercaptopurine.

What happens if I overdose?

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If an overdose of mercaptopurine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

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Symptoms of a mercaptopurine overdose may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, blood problems, and liver problems.

What should I avoid while taking mercaptopurine?

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Mercaptopurine can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with mercaptopurine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

What are the possible side effects of mercaptopurine?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

severe nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

liver problems such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, dark colored urine, or light colored stools; or

decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat).

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Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite;

mouth sores; or

skin rash or discoloration.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect mercaptopurine?

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Before taking mercaptopurine, tell your doctor if you are taking allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim, Lopurin). A dosage adjustment may be required if these medicines are taken together.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mercaptopurine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with mercaptopurine.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about mercaptopurine written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.