Mercaptopurine

Therapeutic Group

Anti-neoplastics

Indication Dosage

Mercaptopurine is a medication primarily indicated for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Crohn's disease. In patients with ALL, it is used as part of a combination therapy to suppress the growth of cancerous cells in the bone marrow. In cases of Crohn's disease, Mercaptopurine helps to reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and manage symptoms associated with this chronic inflammatory condition. 

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemias, Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: 

  • Adult: Initially 2.5 Mg/kg Daily, Adjusted According to Toresponse, Alternatively Initially 50-75 Mg/m2 Daily, Adjusted According To Response

Content

  • Tab 50mg: Mercaptopurine 50mg.

Pregnancy

Contraindicated In Pregnancy.

Stability

  • Antimetabolite

Contra Indications

  • Severe Liver Disease, Severe Bone Marrow Suppression, Absent Thiopurine Methyltransferase Activity; Consider Pre-treatment Screening

Precautions

  • Severe Liver Disease, Severe Bone Marrow Suppression, Absent Thiopurine Methyltransferase Activity; Consider Pre-treatment Screening

Lactation

  • Contraindicated. Discontinue Breast-feeding

Side Effects

  • Alopecia
  • Anorexia
  • Bone-marrow Suppression
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Hyperuricaemia
  • Myelosuppression
  • Liver Toxicitynausea
  • Oral Mucositis
  • Thromboembolism
  • Tumourlysis Syndrome
  • Vomiting
  • Rare: Pancreatitis
  • Transient Oligospermia
  • Intestinal Ulceration
  • Lymphoma

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