* Generic Name: mercaptopurine
* Brand Name: Purinethol
* What is mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
* What are the possible side effects of mercaptopurine
(Purinethol, Purixan)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
* How should I take mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Purinethol, Purixan)?
* What happens if I overdose (Purinethol, Purixan)?
* What should I avoid while taking mercaptopurine (Purinethol,
Purixan)?
* What other drugs will affect mercaptopurine (Purinethol,
Purixan)?
* Where can I get more information (Purinethol, Purixan)?
What is mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Mercaptopurine is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth
and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Mercaptopurine is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Mercaptopurine is sometimes given with other cancer medications.
Mercaptopurine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Stop using mercaptopurine and call your doctor right away if you have
any of these symptoms of lymphoma:
* fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness;
* feeling full after eating only a small amount;
* pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder;
* easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or
short of breath, rapid heart rate; or
* nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or
eyes).
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
* skin sores with redness, swelling, or drainage;
* unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple
or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
* liver problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, swelling in
your midsection, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
* low blood cell counts--fever, sore throat, weakness, pale
skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of
breath.
Common side effects may include:
* nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
* diarrhea;
* rash; 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.
What is the most important information I should know about mercaptopurine
(Purinethol, Purixan)?
You should not use mercaptopurine if you have ever used mercaptopurine
or thioguanine (Tabloid) 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.
Using mercaptopurine may also increase your risk of developing other
types of cancer, such as skin cancer or uterine cancer.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of lymphoma, such as:
fever, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness, feeling full after eating
only a small amount, pain in your upper stomach, easy bruising or
bleeding, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Purinethol Patient Information including How Should I Take
RxList
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
You should not use mercaptopurine if you are allergic to it, or if you
have ever used mercaptopurine or thioguanine (Tabloid) 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. This has occurred mainly in
teenagers and young adults using mercaptopurine or similar medicines to
treat Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
However, people with autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid
arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and
psoriasis) may have a higher risk of lymphoma. Talk to your doctor
about your individual risk.
Using mercaptopurine may also increase your risk of developing other
types of cancer, such as skin cancer or uterine cancer. Ask your doctor
about your specific risk.
To make sure mercaptopurine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
have:
* 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).
Do not use mercaptopurine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn
baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become
pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether mercaptopurine passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking
mercaptopurine.
How should I take mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Use care when handling mercaptopurine oral suspension. The liquid can
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 safely
clean up an accidental spill.
Mercaptopurine can lower blood cells that help your body fight
infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be
tested often. Your liver function may also need to be checked. Your
cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Purinethol Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
RxList
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What happens if I miss a dose (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of mercaptopurine.
What happens if I overdose (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Early symptoms of an overdose may include loss of appetite, nausea,
vomiting, or diarrhea. Later symptoms may include fever or flu-like
symptoms.
What should I avoid while taking mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Mercaptopurine can make you
sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit).
Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body
fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers.
Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and
linens separately from other laundry.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using mercaptopurine, and avoid
coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live
vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella
(MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever,
varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal
flu (influenza) vaccine.
What other drugs will affect mercaptopurine (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or
stop using during your treatment with mercaptopurine, especially:
* allopurinol; or
* warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with
mercaptopurine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed
in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information (Purinethol, Purixan)?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about
mercaptopurine.
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