Cancer Resources
Featured Centers
- Eating Out? Cut Calories, Heartburn
- 5 Good Ways to Save Money on Medicine
- 8 Ways to Treat Your Allergies
home > drugs a-z list > purinethol (mercaptopurine) drug center
Recommended Topic Related To:
Purinethol
Leukemia facts
- Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells.
- While the exact cause(s) of leukemia is not known, risk factors have been identified.
- Leukemias are grouped by how quickly the disease develops (acute or chronic) as well as by the type of blood cell that is affected (lymphocytes or myelocytes). The four main types of leukemia include acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), and chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML).
- People with leukemia are at significantly increased risk for developing infections, anemia, and bleeding. Other symptoms and signs include easy bruising, weight loss, night sweats, and unexplained fevers.
- The diagnosis of leukemia is supported by findings of the
medical history and examination, and examining blood
and bone marrow samples under a microscope.
- Tre...
Purinethol
Purinethol Drug Center
Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Purinethol (mercaptopurine) is used to treat acute lymphatic leukemia or acute myelogenous leukemia. It is usually given together with other cancer medications. Purinethol is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. This medication is available in generic form. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Temporary hair loss may also occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.
The usual daily maintenance dose of Purinethol is 1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg/day as a single dose. Purinethol may interact with allopurinol, azathioprine, blood thinners, cyclosporine, olsalazine or sulfasalazine, sulfamethoxasole and trimethoprim, or thioguanine. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Purinethol is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm the fetus, particularly during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
Our Purinethol (mercaptopurine) Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
Purinethol Prescribing Information: Indications & Dosage
PURINETHOL (mercaptopurine) is indicated for maintenance therapy of acute lymphatic (lymphocytic, lymphoblastic) leukemia as part of a combination regimen. The response to this agent depends upon the particular subclassification of acute lymphatic leukemia and the age of the patient (pediatric or adult).
PURINETHOL is not effective for prophylaxis or treatment of central nervous system leukemia.
PURINETHOL is not effective in acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia, the lymphomas (including Hodgkins Disease), or solid tumors.
Read the complete drug monograph for Purinethol »
What is Purinethol Prescribing Information?
Drug Description - Indications & Dosage - Side Effects & Drug Interactions - Warnings & Precautions - Contraindications - Medication Guide and More
What is Patient information?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Purinethol Patient Information: Side Effects
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.
Stop using mercaptopurine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, weakness, muscle pain, flu symptoms;
- severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fast heart rate;
- stomach pain, lo...
Read the complete patient information for Purinethol »
What is Purinethol Patient Information?
Possible Side Effects - Images - What Is - How Should I Take It - What If I Miss a Dose - What Should I Avoid and More
What is Consumer information?
A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.
Purinethol Consumer Information: Uses
This medication is used with other drugs to treat a certain type of cancer (acute lymphocytic leukemia). Mercaptopurine belongs to a class of drugs known as purine antagonists. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Talk to the doctor about the risks and benefits of mercaptopurine, especially when used in children and young adults.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug...
Read the complete consumer information for Purinethol »
What is Purinethol Consumer Information?
Warnings - Uses - How to Use - Side Effects - Precautions - Drug Interactions and More
Next: Drug Description
Additional Purinethol Information
Purinethol - User Reviews
Purinethol User Reviews
Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Purinethol sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Purinethol
Related Drugs
Health Resources
Related Supplements
Use it Now
Find it Now
Pill Identifier on RxList
- quick,
easy,
concise
Find a Local Pharmacy
- including
24 hour
pharmacies
Updated & New
RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.