Has your doctor prescribed Mercaptopurine to you or someone you know? You probably have a lot of questions about what this medicine is, what it does, how to use it properly, and what precautions you need to take. Today, we'll talk about it all in a simple way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is Mercaptopurine?
Simply put, Mercaptopurine, sometimes called 6-MP, is a drug that inhibits the growth of cancer cells . More specifically, it belongs to a class of drugs called chemotherapy. It works by stopping cancer cells from dividing and growing too quickly. It is also sometimes used to suppress the body's immune system. It is mainly used to treat certain types of acute leukemia.
Think about it, the cells in our body are constantly dividing and renewing themselves. That's normal. But in cancer, some cells start dividing very quickly, out of control. Mercaptopurine helps stop that rapid, uncontrolled cell division.
Your doctor may also prescribe this medicine for another condition. So if you have any questions, it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine may come under several brand names, for example, you may have seen it called PURIXAN.
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
Before you start taking this medication, there are a few things you need to tell your doctor and your care team. This information will help them decide whether this medication is right for you and how much to give you. Be sure to tell them all of these things, okay?
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have any liver disease .
- If your blood cell levels are low (for example, low white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets), your doctor will check these in blood reports.
- If you have a condition called nucleotide diphosphatase (NUDT15) deficiency (this is a genetic condition, your doctor may be able to do a special test to check for this).
- It's okay if you 've recently received a vaccine or are about to receive one soon.
- If you have a condition called thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency (this is also a genetic condition like NUDT15, and can also change the way the drug works in the body).
- If you have ever had an unusual allergic reaction to mercaptopurine, another medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
- This is very important if you are pregnant or expecting a baby .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This is an oral suspension. You should take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you, according to the instructions on the prescription label.
The most important thing is to shake the bottle well before taking the medicine . This will ensure that the ingredients are well mixed and you get the exact dose you need.
To measure the medicine, use only the special measuring syringe that comes with the medicine. Do not measure with household teaspoons or tablespoons, as they cannot measure the exact amount. Read the Instructions for Use carefully on the medicine package. It explains the steps step by step.
Take your medicine at the right time and at the right intervals . Do not take more than your doctor tells you to, or take it more often. Also, do not stop taking your medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice . Doing so may affect your condition.
What do you do when giving this medicine to children?
Doctors also prescribe this medicine to children in some selected cases. However, there are some things to be careful about when giving it to children. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, it is essential to discuss this carefully with your pediatrician and seek advice. The dosage may vary depending on the child's weight, height, and medical condition.
What to do if you accidentally take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or the nearest hospital emergency room immediately . Don't waste time. Don't wait until you have symptoms of an overdose.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with others, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
What do you do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose . Take your next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose . Doing so may increase the dose and cause side effects. If you often miss doses, talk to your doctor. You may need help developing a reminder system.
What other medications are incompatible with this medicine, or should be taken with caution?
When taking this medicine, it may interact with some other medications. This means that when taken with that medication, the effectiveness of this medicine may change or the side effects may increase.
Never take Mercaptopurine together with the following medications:
- Febuxostat (this is a medicine for gout)
These medications can also interact with mercaptopurine. Therefore, if you are taking these, you should tell your doctor:
- Allopurinol (this is also a medicine for gout. If you take this, you will need to reduce your dose of mercaptopurine)
- Some medications that prevent blood clotting, for example warfarin
- Some medications used to treat conditions such as ulcerative colitis: balsalazide, olsalazine, mesalamine, sulfasalazine
- Live virus vaccines (e.g. measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), chickenpox vaccine)
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (this is a commonly used antibiotic)
This list does not include all possible reactions. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (prescribed or over-the-counter), herbal products, vitamins, and dietary supplements you use. You should also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some things can interact with your medicine.
What should you be careful about when taking this medicine?
You may feel more uncomfortable or unwell than usual while taking this medicine. This is normal because chemotherapy drugs can also affect healthy cells. However, if you experience any side effects, tell your doctor. You should continue taking the medicine even if it is uncomfortable until your doctor tells you to stop .
- Bleeding and bruising may increase: This medicine may increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding (e.g., nosebleeds, gums), bruising easily, small red spots on your skin, black stools, or blood in your urine. Be careful not to injure yourself. Use a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
- Risk of Infections: If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose, or cough, tell your doctor right away. Do not self-medicate . This medicine can reduce your body's ability to fight infections. Therefore, try to stay away from people who are sick as much as possible. Be careful when going to crowded places. Wash your hands often.
- Sun Sensitivity: Your skin may be very sensitive to the sun while taking this medicine. So, avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Limit your exposure to strong sunlight between 10 am and 4 pm. If you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body well, a wide-brimmed hat, and a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
- Cancer risk: There may be a small risk of developing certain other types of cancer (such as skin cancer) when this medicine is taken for a long time. Talk to your doctor about this for more information. That's why it's important to be careful in the sun.
- About pregnancy and having children:
- Women: Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping the medicine. If you are planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Talk to your doctor about suitable birth control.
- Men: Do not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping the medicine. Make sure your partner is not pregnant. This medicine can cause serious side effects to the unborn baby. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine and for a week after stopping the medicine. The medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk.
- Fertility: This medicine may affect your ability to have children, or fertility. This can affect both men and women. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor before starting treatment to find out about your options.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medication, Mercaptopurine can have some side effects. Some of them should be reported to your doctor immediately, while others are not so serious. Let's see what they are.
You should tell your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible if you have any of these side effects:
- Allergic reactions: Symptoms such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue.
- Breathing problems.
- Low blood counts: This medicine can lower your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can increase your risk of infection and bleeding. Your doctor will check your blood counts regularly.
- Signs of low platelets or bleeding: bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine.
- Symptoms of low red blood cells: unusual tiredness, feeling unusually weak or tired, feeling faint or lightheaded, and falls.
- Signs of infection: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine.
- Signs and symptoms of liver injury: dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar: feeling anxious; confusion; dizziness; increased hunger; unusually weak or tired; sweating; shakiness; feeling cold; irritability; headache; blurred vision; fast heartbeat; loss of consciousness.
- Sore throat.
- Swelling of the stomach.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (if these persist or bother you, tell your doctor):
- Diarrhea.
- Hair loss (this is temporary, hair will grow back once the medication is stopped)
- Mouth sores. (Ask your doctor about a mouthwash.)
- Vomiting. (If you are vomiting, tell your doctor , there is medicine for that.)
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, please consult your doctor for advice.
How should I store this medicine?
This medicine should be kept out of the reach of children . That's very important.
Store the medicine at a temperature between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius (59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit) . This is normal room temperature. Do not store in a hot place or in the refrigerator, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Keep the bottle tightly closed.
After 8 weeks of using the medicine bottle, any remaining medicine should be thrown away . Do not use it. It is dangerous to use expired medicine.
Finally, the most important thing you need to remember is
This article is only a summary of Mercaptopurine. It may not be comprehensive. If you have any further questions about this medicine, it is best to talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. Never take any medicine on your own without consulting a doctor . Following your doctor's instructions is the best way to stay healthy.
Remember, you are not alone. There are doctors and health teams to help you. Don't be afraid to talk openly with them about any questions, fears, or doubts you have. They are there to help you.
` Mercaptopurine, 6-MP, cancer, leukemia, chemotherapy, side effects, medication
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