While you are being treated with mercaptopurine, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Mercaptopurine may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent.

Can I just stop taking mercaptopurine?

For people who can't tolerate azathioprine, mercaptopurine can be an option for around 7 out of 10 people. Stopping treatment may be considered at any point if you're in remission. But most gastroenterologists will usually consider stopping the drug after four years for people who haven't had any flare-ups.

When should I stop taking mercaptopurine?

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. If you get such symptoms, you should stop taking Mercaptopurine. Any signs of fever or infection (sore throat, sore mouth or urinary problems) or any unexplained bruising or bleeding.

How long can you stay on mercaptopurine?

Research suggests that for some people azathioprine or mercaptopurine can continue to be effective for at least five years and possibly longer.

Does mercaptopurine lower your immune system?

MERCAPTOPURINE, 6-MP (mer kap toe PYOOR een) is a chemotherapy drug. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells and can reduce immune system activity.

Starting Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine

36 related questions found

Is mercaptopurine a chemotherapy?

Mercaptopurine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute promyelocytic leukaemia (a rare form of AML). It may sometimes be used to treat other cancers.

Is mercaptopurine same as 6mp?

Mercaptopurine (6-MP), sold under the brand name Purinethol among others, is a medication used for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Specifically it is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Does mercaptopurine make you gain weight?

Swelling of the body, tiredness, bruising. High blood pressure which may cause headaches, dizziness, blurred vision. Belly pain. Increased appetite and weight gain.

Does mercaptopurine cause hair loss?

The most important things to know about 6-MP is that it may cause certain side effects, such as hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. It should also not be used within two weeks of receiving a live vaccination.

Can I drink alcohol with mercaptopurine?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the other medicines you take. This includes any medicines you have had prescribed by another doctor as well as medicines bought from a pharmacy or supermarket and any herbal remedies.

Is it safe to take mercaptopurine?

Mercaptopurine can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

What does mercaptopurine treat?

Mercaptopurine is used alone or with other chemotherapy drugs to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL; also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute lymphatic leukemia; a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells).

Is mercaptopurine a steroid?

This medication belongs to a class of drugs called immunomodulators. It helps to reduce irritation and swelling (inflammation) in the intestines. It also decreases the long-term need for steroids. For that reason, it is sometimes referred to as a "steroid-sparing" drug.

Can you take ibuprofen with mercaptopurine?

No interactions were found between ibuprofen and mercaptopurine. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Can mercaptopurine cause liver damage?

Mercaptopurine can also lead to a distinctive acute, clinically apparent liver injury that usually presents with fatigue and jaundice and a cholestatic or mixed pattern of serum enzyme elevations 1 to 6 months after starting therapy, but sometimes later, particularly following an increase in dose.

How long does mercaptopurine take to work?

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO WORK? Azathioprine and mercaptopurine are slow-acting. It may take three to six months before you notice benefits.

How common is hair loss with mercaptopurine?

Side effects included leukopenia (11.2%), abnormal liver function tests (3.8%), various infections, including pneumonia (3.1%), pancreatitis (2.5%), nausea (2.1%), headache (2.8%), fever (1.4%), hair loss (1%), and rash (0.7%).

Does mercaptopurine cause joint pain?

In addition, an allergy to thiopurines (ie, 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine) can present with a severe, debilitating, acute-onset joint pain and high fever. In this case, the pain usually occurs 1 or 2 days after starting thiopurine as a new therapy, so it is clearly from the drug.

What is Crohn's disease and what does it do to you?

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people.

What does mercaptopurine do for ulcerative colitis?

The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are thought to reduce inflammation by blocking the immune system.

Is thioguanine an immunosuppressant?

Thioguanine, like other thiopurines, is cytotoxic to white cells; as a result it is immunosuppressive at lower doses and anti-leukemic/anti-neoplastic at higher doses. Thioguanine is incorporated into human bone marrow cells, but like other thiopurines, it is not known to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Can you take paracetamol with mercaptopurine?

Paracetamol. Both mercaptopurine and paracetamol can increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.

What are the side effects of 6 mercaptopurine?

Side Effects

• Black, tarry stools.
• clay colored stools.
• cough or hoarseness.
• decreased appetite.
• fever or chills.
• nausea, vomiting.
• pinpoint red spots on the skin.
• rash, itchy skin.

What does 6MP do for Crohn's?

Mercaptopurine, also known as 6-MP, comes in tablet form. It's one of the more popular chemotherapy treatments for Crohn's. Classified as an antimetabolite, 6-MP interferes with metabolic action. Antimetabolites have been effective in treating Crohn's.

Is 6 mercaptopurine an immunosuppressant?

Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for the treatment of active Crohn's disease. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are immunosuppressive drugs that are thought to reduce inflammation by blocking the immune system.