Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Purinethol

Generic Name: mercaptopurine (Pronunciation: mer KAP toe PURE een)

• What is mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• What are the possible side effects of mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• What is the most important information I should know about mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• How should I take mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Purinethol)?
• What happens if I overdose (Purinethol)?
• What should I avoid while taking mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• What other drugs will affect mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?

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.

Mercaptopurine 50 mg-ROX

round, yellow, imprinted with 54 420

Mercaptopurine 50 mg-TEV

round, yellow, imprinted with 5510, 9 3

Purinethol 50 mg

round, white, imprinted with PURINETHOL 04A

What are the possible side effects of mercaptopurine (Purinethol)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• 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).

Stop using mercaptopurine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, weakness, muscle pain, flu symptoms);
• severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• pain or burning with urination; or
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Less serious side effects may include:

• vomiting, mild diarrhea;
• hair loss;
• mild itching or skin rash; or
• darkened skin color.

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)?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, night sweats, itching, loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness, feeling full after eating only a small amount, pain in your upper stomach that may spread to your shoulder, nausea, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Mercaptopurine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

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