mercaptopurine
Other Name: Purinethol®; 6-MP (Other Name)
- For treating certain types of blood cancers such as acute leukemias.
- Tell your doctor if you have/had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had liver or kidney disease, or any allergies.
- This drug contains a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your doctor before taking it.
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding
- If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug: Keep using birth control until 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation). Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
- Do not breastfeed while on mercaptopurine treatment.
- Effects on Fertility: Yes
- Effects on Fertility: Yes
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Take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
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Swallow whole pill with a glass of water on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after food or other medications.
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If you miss a dose, skip this and take your next dose as you normally do. Do not take an extra dose to make up for the missed dose.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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For mild aches and pain:
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding.
- Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any of these medications. They may hide a fever.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
The following side effects are common or severe. You may not have all of the side effects. Other side effects may occur. If you have any unusual or bothersome symptoms, discuss with your doctor.
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Abnormal liver lab tests (may be severe)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
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Nausea and vomiting
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
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Unusual bleeding or bruising You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. Fever, chills, infection You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. See our Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information. |
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
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Rapid killing of cancer cells when you start treatment may lead to build up of cell waste products
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Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
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Allergic reaction (fever, severe rash, joint pain, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness; may occur during or shortly after the drug is given) |
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
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Pancreas problems |
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.