Mercaptopurine - Chemotherapy Drugs

What Is Mercaptopurine?

Mercaptopurine is the ultimate medication suitable for completely managing and treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The Mercaptopurine is the most amazing class of medication called Purine Antagonists.

Normally, the Purine Antagonists are involved in the action or even contradiction for the valuable agent. It is suitable for extensively managing and treating the leukemias.

The Mercaptopurine is also effective for treating the inflammatory autoimmune disorders.

Many patients have gained better health by treating the effects of leukemias in the body.

The mercaptopurine has been widely used for various inflammatory autoimmune-related conditions.

 Mercaptopurine involves the antimetabolite antineoplastic agent enabled with the immunosuppressant properties.

These would automatically reduce the nucleic acid synthesis with extensively inhibiting the metabolism level in our body.

How Does Mercaptopurine Work?

Mercaptopurine is the ultimate antineoplastic agent suitable for treating the acute lymphocytic leukemia.

These are prodrugs purine analog hypoxanthine, which automatically works as the best antagonist for endogenous purines.

These are also extensively suitable for making the DNA replication on the S-phase in the cell cycle.

Normally, the Azathioprine will break 88% mercaptopurine as well as 12% of other thiopurine metabolites present in the medications. These also enabled 6-thioguanine nucleotides to become one of the active antileukemic effects.

Mercaptopurine is converted into thioinosinic acid (TIMP), which also inhibits other inosinic acid (IMP).

These would be extensively converted into the adenylic acid (AMP) using the adenylosuccinate (SAMP).

 TIMP will be forming the 6-methylthioinosinate (MTIMP) so they would be inhibiting the glutamine-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate.

Knowing the mercaptopurine uses is essential before using the medication. These are metabolized in the liver and GI tract so they are taken by lymphocytes.

The mercaptopurine will be completely metabolized through the purine salvage enzyme using the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT).

How to use Mercaptopurine?

Mercaptopurine functions as a chemotherapy agent which treats specific cancer types. Its primary application is for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The medicine belongs to the antimetabolite category which disrupts cancer cell development and reproduction to assist in disease progression control.

1. Mercaptopurine is prescribed by an oncologist who specifies the required treatment schedule for patients. – Patients should consume the medication on an empty stomach which requires them to wait one hour before eating and two hours after eating. 
2. Patients typically take the medication once per day in the evening because this schedule maintains constant drug levels. Patients must take the medicine with water and should not crush or chew it unless they receive specific instructions to do so. – Doses should be taken at the same time each day to maintain effectiveness. 
3. Patients need to complete blood tests which will assess their blood cell counts and liver function. – Patients must follow the dosing instructions precisely because incorrect use will decrease treatment effectiveness and raise the risk of toxic effects.

Medical professionals need to monitor all changes which patients make to their Mercaptopurine treatment schedule. Patients must stay away from alcohol because it heightens their chances of experiencing liver damage. Patients with liver disease, infections, low blood counts, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding must inform their doctor before starting treatment.

Missed Dose

Take the Missed dose as soon as you remember it. When it is time for the next dose, then you must not overdose on the medication.

Overdose

You must not be taking the excess dose when you have forgot taking mercaptopurine. A double dose would cause side effects in the body. Whether you have accidentally taken the mercaptopurine, then you need to consult a doctor or emergency medical service immediately. 

Availability at Grant Pharmacy

Grant Pharmacy proudly offers Mercaptopurine and other essential medications to support the health and well-being of our community. Our knowledgeable pharmacists are available to provide personalized assistance and answer any questions regarding Mercaptopurine therapy.

Precautions and Warnings:

Normally, the Mercaptopurine will be prescribed in combination with the other medicines. These are significant options for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Mercaptopurine belongs to the antimetabolites group of medicines.  You need to know how long does mercaptopurine stay in your system for using the medication.

Before taking Mercaptopurine, it is essential to know about the precautions and warnings of the medication.

Pregnancy:

Whether you are pregnant, then it is recommended to consult the doctor before taking the medications. Appropriate studies are not been performed on the effects of mercaptopurine in pregnancy.

Pediatrics:

The safety of mercaptopurine usage has not been known for children younger than six years or low body mass index.

Consulting the doctor before taking the medication is essential. Oral liquid can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

If you have any kind of allergic reaction to the ingredients used in the medicine, then it is essential to tell the doctor. Tell your doctor when you have allergies to particular foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Geriatric:

Whether you have age-related liver, heart or kidney problems, then it is essential to have more caution on taking the medication.

Consult a doctor before taking the dosage of mercaptopurine. Doctors would also adjust the dosage of the medication based on the health condition.

Breastfeeding:

In the modern day, no adequate studies have been conducted in women about the infant risk during breastfeeding while using mercaptopurine. The doctor would suggest the right dosage when you are breastfeeding.

Side Effects Of Mercaptopurine:

Mercaptopurine has the best effect on treating and managing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The medication could also be causing unwanted side effects in the body.

 The mercaptopurine side effects vary from one person to another based on the health condition.

When you are facing the following side effects in the body then you need to consult the doctor immediately.

• Dark Urine
• Clay Colored Stools
• Bleeding Gums
• Tarry Stools
• Red Spots on the Skin
• Difficult Urination
• Nausea
• Lower Back or Side Pain
• Unusual Tiredness
• Yellow Eyes Or Skin
• Swollen glands
• Ulcers
  
  

Storage:

Store the mercaptopurine medicine in a closed container set at room temperature.

Keep the medicine away from the moisture, heat and even direct light

You must not keep the outdated medicine longer.

Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Use the oral liquid one opened within eight weeks. You can simply throw away the unused medicine.

Interactions:

Whether you are using the mercaptopurine with certain medicine then it would be causing the side effects in the body.

Doctors would be altering the dosage before interacting with the other medicine. You can also easily know the mercaptopurine price for saving your money on buying the medicine.

 Doctors would advice to avoid using these medicines along with the mercaptopurine. The doctor would be deciding whether to treat with other medicine or not.

• Allopurinol
• Alacepril
• Adenovirus Vaccine
• Captopril
• Benazepril
• Black Cohosh
• Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine
• Azathioprine
• Cilazapril
• Cholera Vaccine
• Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine
• Doxorubicin

When you are taking mercaptopurine with other medicines, then you can consult the doctor to avoid the side effects. Normally, these medicines are not suitable when used with alcohol or tobacco.

At Grant Pharmacy, we take pride in the positive impact our services have on the lives of our patients. Countless individuals have benefited from Mercaptopurine therapy, achieving remission and enjoying improved quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercaptopurine (FAQs)

What Is Mercaptopurine Used For?

Mercaptopurine is suitable for treating the acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is the type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells. Mercaptopurine comes under the class of medications - purine antagonists.

Is Mercaptopurine An Immunosuppressant?

Mercaptopurine comes under the group of medicines called immunosuppressants. Immune system would be attacking the body's own tissue when the body has the inflammatory bowel disease cells. Normally, the Azathioprine and mercaptopurine works together for providing better effect.

Is Mercaptopurine A Steroid?

Mercaptopurine comes under the immunomodulators and effective option for reducing the swelling and irritation in intestine. These would decrease the long-term requirements for the steroids, so these are often called "steroid-sparing" drugs.

How Long Is Mercaptopurine Treatment?

Mercaptopurine would work slowly, as it could take more about 3 months to see the full effect. The length of treatment will vary from one person to another.

Is Mercaptopurine An Antibiotic?

Mercaptopurine Medication is useful for treating the cancer cells such as acute lymphocytic leukemia. These are chemotherapy drug that works to slow and stop cancer cell growth.

Disclaimer: The medicine information provided on this page is for general knowledge purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medicine.
- Grant Pharmacy