Brand: Purinethol, Purixan
Generic: Mercaptopurine
Purinethol is an antimetabolite. It is used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (cancer of white blood cells).
It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It is available in the tablet and suspension form only with your doctor’s prescription.
Before using Purinethol, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.
There are no adequate studies done which prove Mercaptopurine’s harmful effects in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established.
This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it should be used with caution in the elderly patient.
It is a category D drug. It is not safe to use in pregnancy. It may cause harm, abnormality in an unborn baby and can result in the loss of an unborn baby.
Mercaptopurine is not known if it can pass into breast milk or not. Do not use this medication while nursing your child.
Mercaptopurine may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug. Some of them are listed below:
Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.
Proper usage of Purinethol requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Read the medication guide carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you have any queries.
If you are using the suspension form of this medicine, shake it for 30 seconds before using it. Measure it with measuring syringe or adaptor. Rinse the syringe with warm water after using it.
Drink plenty of water and fluids so you can pass more urine while using this drug. It will prevent any kidney problems.
If you vomit after taking this medicine, ask your doctor if you have to take the dose again or you have to follow your schedule.
It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose. You must follow your doctor’s command.
Adults: 1.5 to 2.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken as a single dose.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it almost a time for your next dose skips the missed dose and continue your daily schedule. Do not double the dose.
Store it at room temperature. Keep it away from children.
If you take Purinethol, your doctor should perform routine checkups and advise you in taking precautions. He may do a blood or urine test to check for unwanted effects.
Use an effective form of birth control methods as Mercaptopurine can harm an unborn baby.
Do not use this medicine if you have taken it in past and found it ineffective. Do not use this medicine if you are already taking azathioprine. Together they can give some serious side effects.
It is a bone marrow suppressant. It temporarily reduces your white blood cells and platelets, and so making you susceptible to infections and bleeding. While using this drug you should avoid people with the infection.
Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
Do not have any immunization (vaccination) during and after the treatment with this drug without your doctor’s approval. Mercaptopurine may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent.
It can aggravate liver diseases.
Sequential multiple analyzers is a test which measures blood sugar and uric acid level. This test can be affected by Mercaptopurine use.
It may increase your risks of getting cancer. A rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is reported in a patient who has Crohn’s disease and is also using this medicine.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Purinethol. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.
More common are:
Less common:
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.
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