Sometimes doctors prescribe a medication for a more serious illness than we think, right? In such a case, it is very important to know exactly what the medication is. Today we are going to talk about a slightly special medication, namely Mercaptopurine , a type of pill that some people also call 6-MP . Perhaps you or someone you know has been prescribed this medication. So let's talk about it in a little more detail, shall we?
So, what kind of medicine is this Mercaptopurine?
Simply put, Mercaptopurine is a chemotherapy drug that inhibits the growth of cancer cells. To be precise, it controls the division and growth of cancer cells. It can also reduce the activity of our body's immune system.
This medicine is often used to treat certain types of leukemia, such as acute leukemia . However, sometimes doctors may prescribe this medicine for other conditions. Your doctor will explain why you have been given this medicine. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication can be found on the market under the brand name Purinethol .
What are the most important things to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
This is very important. Before you start using Mercaptopurine, there are a few things you should definitely tell your doctor. Because this information is what your doctor will use to determine the dosage of the medicine for you, or to determine whether this medicine is right for you or not.
Here are those facts:
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease .
- If your blood cell count is low – that is, if reports show that you have a low number of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.
- If you have a genetic condition called nucleotide diphosphatase (NUDT15) deficiency (this can be detected with a special test).
- If you have recently received any vaccine, or are scheduled to receive one in the future.
- If you have another genetic condition called thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency (this can also be detected with a special test).
- If you have an allergy to mercaptopurine, any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, that's okay.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
It is very important for your own health to tell your doctor about these things without hiding them.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This medicine comes in the form of tablets. You should take these tablets with a glass of water. Follow your doctor's instructions or the directions on the medicine label exactly as they are given. Take the prescribed amount at the prescribed time. Do not take more or more often than your doctor tells you.
The most important thing is to not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may affect your condition.
If you are giving this medicine to young children , you should talk to your pediatrician about it. Although this medicine is prescribed to children in some selected cases, there are some things to be careful about.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Don't waste time.
Please note: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes it's possible to miss a dose, right? If that happens, don't take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If you have any doubts about this, ask your doctor.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
This is also a very important point. There are some medications that can cause problems when taken with mercaptopurine.
Never take Mercaptopurine with these medications:
- Febuxostat (this is a medicine given for conditions such as gout)
These medications can also interact with mercaptopurine, meaning they can interfere with each other. So if you are taking these, you should tell your doctor:
- Allopurinol (also a medicine for gout and some kidney stones)
- Some medications that prevent blood clotting, for example warfarin
- Some medications used to treat conditions such as ulcerative colitis: balsalazide, olsalazine, mesalamine, or sulfasalazine
- Live virus vaccines
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (this is an antibiotic)
This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all the medications (prescribed or over-the-counter), herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. These things can interact with your medication.
What should you be especially careful about when taking this medicine?
Mercaptopurine is a somewhat potent drug, so you need to be especially careful about some things when taking it.
- Feeling a little uncomfortable: You may feel a little uncomfortable and unwell when taking this medicine. This is because these anti-cancer medicines affect not only cancer cells but also healthy cells. If you experience any side effects, tell your doctor . However, it is important to take the medicine as prescribed, even if it is uncomfortable, until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Be careful of infections: If you have symptoms of illness such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, or runny nose, do not self-medicate. Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional immediately for advice. This medicine can reduce your body's ability to fight infections. Therefore, try to stay away from people who are sick. For example, it is better to limit going to crowded places and visiting sick people.
- Easy bruising and bleeding: This medicine may cause you to bruise easily, or even bleed more easily from minor injuries. If you experience unusual bleeding or bruising, tell your doctor.
- Sun sensitivity: Your skin may be very sensitive to sunlight while taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. If you do go outside, wear clothing that covers your body well, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
- Cancer risk: It is said that taking this medicine may slightly increase the risk of developing some types of cancer. Therefore, talk to your doctor about this and be aware of your risk.
- Pregnancy and having children: This is very important!
- Women: Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping the medicine. If you are trying to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
- Men: Do not try to have a child while you are taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping the medicine.
This medicine can cause serious harm to the unborn baby, so be very careful with this.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medication and for one week after stopping the medication.
- Fertility: This medicine may affect your ability to have children. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like all medications, Mercaptopurine can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some of them should be reported to the doctor immediately, while others can be tolerated for a while.
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional right away if you experience any of these side effects:
- Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Symptoms of low blood cell counts: This medication can cause low white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can increase the risk of infection and bleeding.
- Signs of low platelets or bleeding: easy bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black tarry stools, and blood in the urine.
- Symptoms of low red blood cells: feeling unusually tired, feeling weak, fainting, feeling dizzy, and fainting.
- Signs of infection: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty urinating.
- Signs of liver injury: Dark yellow or brown urine; feeling unwell or having a fever or flu-like symptoms; pale stools; loss of appetite; nausea; pain in the upper right side of the stomach; unusual weakness or tiredness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Severe sore throat.
- Abdominal bloating.
These side effects usually do not need to be reported to your doctor (but if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor ):
- Diarrhea.
- Hair loss.
- Mouth sores.
- Vomiting.
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, please consult your doctor.
How do you store the medicine?
This medicine should be kept out of the reach of children .
Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius / 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Protect from moisture. Keep the medicine bottle/packet tightly closed. Do not use expired medicine, throw it away.
Things to remember!
Okay, so we talked a lot about mercaptopurine, right?
The most important thing is that this is a medicine that must be used exactly as directed, under medical advice.
- Listen carefully to everything your doctor says and follow it.
- If you have any questions or doubts, don't be afraid to ask the doctor.
- Be aware of side effects, especially if you experience any of the serious symptoms we discussed, and tell your doctor immediately.
- If you are using other medications, don't forget to tell your doctor about them.
- Follow the instructions regarding pregnancy and breastfeeding exactly.
This medicine is a help in treating your condition. So, trust the doctors and follow their instructions. I wish you a speedy recovery!
` Mercaptopurine, 6-MP, Purinethol, cancer, leukemia, chemotherapy, side effects
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