Purinethol (Mercaptopurine)

What is Purinethol?

Purinethol (mercaptopurine) is a purine antagonist.

What is Purinethol used for?

Purinethol is used to treat acute myelogenous leukemia or acute lymphatic leukemia. Purinethol is usually given in tandem with other drugs used for the treatment of cancer.

How does Purinethol work?

Purinethol works by inhibiting the growth and development of cancer cells in the blood or the lymph depending on the cancer type, and gradually reduces their development in the body.

How to use Purinethol

Take Purinethol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. To follow the exact dosage instructions, carefully read the directions given on the prescription label.

The medicine should be taken orally and can be taken with or without food. Take it with a full glass of water. Do not use it longer than it has been prescribed by your doctor.

Purinethol warnings and precautions

Do not take Purinethol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Before taking Purinethol, you must discuss with your doctor if you have kidney troubles, liver problems or any type of bacterial, fungal or viral infection.

During the period when you are taking this medication, use effective birth control measures as the efficacy of birth control pills is reduced by Purinethol. Women who are planning to conceive, are pregnant or are lactating must consult their doctors before using this medicine.

This medicine lowers the efficiency of the immune system therefore, avoid going near people who are suffering from cold, flu or any other type of contagious illness.

You are also advised to go for blood test on a regular basis while taking Purinethol.

Do not miss any scheduled visit to your medical health provider. Also, do not stop or increase/decrease the dosage without consulting the doctor even if you feel better.

What do I do if I have missed a Purinethol dose?

If you have missed your Purinethol dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. You can skip the missed dose if it’s time to take the next one and after that you can start your regular dosage schedule.

What do I do if I have taken a Purinethol overdose?

If you have taken a Purinethol overdose, you should seek the help of your local medical emergency room.

Purinethol interactions

Before starting the course of treatment with Purinethol, you must tell your doctor if you are already taking drugs such as Zyloprim, Aloprim, Lopurin, Coumadin, Azasan, Imuran, Neoral, Sandimmune, Azulfidine, Dipentum, Bactrim, Septra, Trimpex, Proloprim or Tabloid. Consult your doctor if you are taking blood thinners and medicines for the bone marrow.

Also tell your doctor about all the prescribed or non-prescribed drugs, including minerals, herbal products or vitamins that you are using, before taking Purinethol.

Purinethol side effects

Serious side effects of Purinethol, which require emergency medical help, include allergic reactions such as difficulty in breathing, hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat; bruising, bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin, muscle pain, flu symptoms, fever, chills, sore throat, body ache, severe nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, fast heart rate, severe pain in upper stomach spreading to the back, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, stomach pain, jaundice, white patches or sores on your lips or inside your mouth.

Some of the less serious Purinethol side effects include skin rash, hair loss and changes in skin color, mild upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea or loss of appetite.