Mercaptopruine

Mercaptopurine is also known as 6-mercaptopurine, 6-MP or Purinethol (brand name). It is an immunosuppressive medication used with other drugs to treat certain types of cancer such as; acute lymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma; as well as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as; Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. It is used to help suppress over activity in the immune system which helps slow down the growth of cancer cells if used in the treatment of cancer.

 

Mercaptopurine comes in tablet and liquid form.  Just like the Azathioprine the liquid form is rarely given out to patients. It is advised to drink a full glass of water with or without food when taking the medication.  This is because there is a risk of kidney stones by using Mercaptopurine.

 

Mercaptopurine tablets

 

The dosage given to the patients is similar to Azathioprine as it is based on the patient's body weight, medical condition and their response to the treatment.  The drug might be absorbed through the skin and lungs so any woman who is pregnant or is trying to get pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe in the dust from the tablets.

Mercaptopurine tablet bottle

 

Due to Mercaptopruine effecting the immune system people who take it are more prone to picking up every bug going.  Signs of infection include fevers and chills and feeling generally unwell.  Whilst taking Mercaptopurine it is important to use a sunscreen with a protection factor of SPF 15 or higher due to the skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight.

 

Side Effects

• nausea or vomiting.
• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• hair loss
• bruising and/or bleeding
• dizziness and/or fainting
• joint pain/swelling
• tongue/mouth sores or pain
• unusual tiredness
• symptoms of liver disease such as; persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine and yellowing of eyes/skin
• symptoms of possible lymphoma such as; swollen/painful abdomen, persistent fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss
• change in amount of urine with pain in the lower back and/or side

 

Precautions

• avoid people who have recently received the oral polio vaccine and the nasal flu vaccine
• limit any alcoholic beverages as it can increase the risk of stomach/oesophageal irritation or liver damage
• there is a mixed view on whether you should take this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding as there is not enough research as to what can happen to the unborn child/baby

 

Interactions

• this medication should not be take within 2weeks of receiving a live vaccine e.g. measles, mumps, polio
• it should not be used with Febuxostat as it can have a very serious interaction

For myself I had picked up the majority of the bugs going around from colds and chest infections especially off my nephew and baby girl :( At the start I had felt really sick taking it but my body had got used to it after a few weeks. Also the first 2months my hair had thinned out really bad that it looked like I was going bald especially above my ears but I had started to use different products to thicken it out again but not to the full thickness it was at the beginning of taking all these medications for my Crohn's disease (like a lions mane).