This medication is used with other drugs to treat a certain type of cancer (acute lymphocytic leukemia).
Mercaptopurine (6-MP) belongs to the group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It is used in combination with other medicines as maintenance treatment of acute lymphatic leukemia. Mercaptopurine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Mercaptopurine is often given together with certain other medicines. If you are using a combination of medicines, make sure that you take each one at the right time and do not mix them. Ask your doctor to help you plan a way to remember to take your medicines at the right times. Some of the adverse reactions of taking mercaptopurine will include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, stomach/abdominal pain, weakness, skin rash, darkening of the skin, and hair loss. Toxicity of mercaptopurine can be linked to genetic polymorphisms in Thiopurine s-methyltransferase (TPMT) and inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA). Patients with specific allele variants will require dose adjustments. Mercaptopurine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Mercaptopurine is used to treat certain types of leukemia. Mercaptopurine is sometimes given with other cancer medications. To make sure mercaptopurine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: 1  liver disease; 2  kidney disease; 3  any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection; or. 4  ulcerative colitis (treated with mesalamine, sulfasalazine, or similar medicines) Mercaptopurine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Mercaptopurine is used to treat certain types of leukemia. Mercaptopurine is sometimes given with other cancer medications. Mercaptopurine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Stop using mercaptopurine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects: 1  signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, weakness, muscle pain, flu symptoms); Mercaptopurine (also called 6-mercaptopurine, 6-MP or its brand name Purinethol) is an immunosuppressive medication. Toxicity of mercaptopurine can be linked to genetic polymorphisms in Thiopurine s-methyltransferase (TPMT) and inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA). Patients with specific allele variants will require dose adjustments. 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. To make sure mercaptopurine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: 1  liver disease; 2  kidney disease; 3  any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection; or. 4  ulcerative colitis (treated with mesalamine, sulfasalazine, or similar medicines) CAUTION. PURINETHOL (mercaptopurine) is a potent drug. It should not be used unless a diagnosis of acute lymphatic leukemia has been adequately established and the responsible physician is experienced with the risks of PURINETHOL and knowledgeable in assessing response to chemotherapy. Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Purinethol sorted by most helpful. See User Reviews. Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Uses. This medication is used with other drugs to treat a certain type of cancer (acute lymphocytic leukemia). Mercaptopurine belongs to a class of drugs known as purine antagonists. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Mercaptopurine is very similar to azathioprine. Do not use medications containing azathioprine while using mercaptopurine. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. How you have mercaptopurine. Mercaptopurine comes as fawn coloured 50mg tablets and as a liquid medicine (oral suspension). The liquid medicine is called Xaluprine. It is very important that you take the tablets or liquid medicine according to the instructions your doctor or pharmacist gave you. 
http://www.goodrx.com/mercaptopurine/what-is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercaptopurine http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/mercaptopurine http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-mercaptopurine/article_em.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercaptopurine http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/mercaptopurine http://www.rxlist.com/purinethol-drug.htm http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1370/purinethol-oral/details http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/mercaptopurine
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