Pack size: Strip of 10 Tablets  |  Price is for the whole Strip

⚠ Prescription required. This medicine may only be dispensed against a valid prescription.

Generic: Mercaptopurine

Form: Tablet 50mg

Indication

Acute lymphatic leukaemia, Crohn's disease

Administration

Should be taken on an empty stomach. Best taken on an empty stomach 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals. Ensure adequate fluid intake.

Adult Dose

Acute Lymphatic Leukemia Induction: 2.5 mg/kg PO qDay; usually 100-200 mg PO qDay in average adult (other agents preferred) May increase by 5 mg/kg/day after 4 weeks Maintenance: 1.5-2.5 mg/kg PO qDay Reduce dose by 75% if concomitant allopurinol administration Crohn's disease Adult: Initially 1-1.5 mg/kg daily, may increase to 125 mg daily. Hepatic impairment: Dosage may need to be reduced.

Child Dose

Acute Lymphatic Leukemia Starting dose: 1.25-2.5 mg/kg (50-75 mg/m²) PO qDay Maintenance: 1.5-2.5 mg/kg PO qDay in combination with methotrexate

Renal Dose

Renal Impairment: Dosage may need to be reduced.

Contraindication

Pregnancy and lactation. Prior resistance to mercaptopurine or thioguanine; severe liver disease; severe bone marrow suppression.

Introduction

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Uses of __NAME__

{'list': ['Blood cancer']}

Side effects of __NAME__

{'tag': 'Common', 'list': ['Nausea', 'Vomiting', 'Rash', 'Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)', 'Intestinal ulcer', 'Anemia (low number of red blood cells)', 'Increased bilirubin in the blood', 'Low blood platelets', 'Increased transaminase level in blood', 'Diarrhea', 'Loss of appetite']}

How to use __NAME__

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. __NAME__ may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How __NAME__ works

__NAME__ interferes with the growth of DNA and RNA of the cancer cells by substituting their building blocks. It prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

Safety Advice

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with __NAME__. Please consult your doctor.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of __NAME__ may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of __NAME__ may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Inform your doctor if you develop any signs and symptoms of jaundice while taking this medicine.