Warnings


What may interact with Mercaptopurine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-febuxostat

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-allopurinol
-certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
-certain medicines that treat ulcerative colitis like balsalazide, olsalazine, mesalamine, or sulfasalazine
-live virus vaccines
-trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Mercaptopurine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-kidney disease
-liver disease
-low blood counts like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-nucleotide diphosphatase (NUDT15) deficiency
-recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccine
-thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency
-an unusual or allergic reaction to mercaptopurine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Mercaptopurine?

This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body''s ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Talk to your doctor about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medicine.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 6 months after stopping it. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.
Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for 1 week after stopping it.
This medicine may interfere with the ability to have a child. Talk with your doctor or health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.