Mercaptopurine - Chemotherapy Drugs

What Is Mercaptopurine?

Mercaptopurine is the ultimate medication suitable for completely managing and treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The Mercaptopurine is the most amazing class of medication called Purine Antagonists.

Normally, the Purine Antagonists are involved in the action or even contradiction for the valuable agent. It is suitable for extensively managing and treating the leukemias.

The Mercaptopurine is also effective for treating the inflammatory autoimmune disorders.

Many patients have gained better health by treating the effects of leukemias in the body.

The mercaptopurine has been widely used for various inflammatory autoimmune-related conditions.

 Mercaptopurine involves the antimetabolite antineoplastic agent enabled with the immunosuppressant properties.

These would automatically reduce the nucleic acid synthesis with extensively inhibiting the metabolism level in our body.

How Does Mercaptopurine Work?

Mercaptopurine is the ultimate antineoplastic agent suitable for treating the acute lymphocytic leukemia.

These are prodrugs purine analog hypoxanthine, which automatically works as the best antagonist for endogenous purines.

These are also extensively suitable for making the DNA replication on the S-phase in the cell cycle.

Normally, the Azathioprine will break 88% mercaptopurine as well as 12% of other thiopurine metabolites present in the medications. These also enabled 6-thioguanine nucleotides to become one of the active antileukemic effects.

Mercaptopurine is converted into thioinosinic acid (TIMP), which also inhibits other inosinic acid (IMP).

These would be extensively converted into the adenylic acid (AMP) using the adenylosuccinate (SAMP).

 TIMP will be forming the 6-methylthioinosinate (MTIMP) so they would be inhibiting the glutamine-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate.

Knowing the mercaptopurine uses is essential before using the medication. These are metabolized in the liver and GI tract so they are taken by lymphocytes.

The mercaptopurine will be completely metabolized through the purine salvage enzyme using the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT).

How to use Mercaptopurine?

Mercaptopurine is available in the form of tablets and oral suspensions. Mercaptopurine will be interfering with cancer cells so they will be automatically destroyed.

These are combined with the other medicines so that normal cell growth is not affected by the medicine.

Tablets will be in pale yellow colour, and the oral suspension will be in pink to brown colour.

 Normally, the liquid medicine is known as Xaluprine. Taking the appropriate mercaptopurine dosage is most important for getting the full effect of the drug.

These are extensively safer options for treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

When you are taking the mercaptopurine tablets then it is important to swallow tablets as whole with water. Patients can take the tablets with or without food.

Doctors would be providing the dosage of the Mercaptopurine based on your health condition level.

You must be continuing the tablets as the way you started which is with or without food.

 Whether you are taking mercaptopurine 50 mg in the morning, then you need to take it at the same time every day.

Take the Mercaptopurine tablet as instructed by the doctor or pharmacist.

If you have any other health issues, then you need to talk to the doctor to get appropriate suggestions for the dosages.

When you are taking the mercaptopurine liquid, then it is essential to dose of liquid mercaptopurine with the syringe for taking exact dosage.

Doctors recommend wearing disposable gloves when you are measuring the Mercaptopurine liquid. The main reason is that these must not come in contact with the skin.

Taking the mercaptopurine liquid at the exact time as instructed by the doctor is essential for getting a good range of results.

Avoid taking the Mercaptopurine tablets or liquid with dairy products or milk. You must not be taking the mercaptopurine at the same time as the milk or dairy products.

The dosage of the mercaptopurine will differ from one person to another. Follow the doctor's orders to get accurate dosages.

You can also know about the mercaptopurine price online from Grant Online Pharmacy.

Doctors will suggest the doses based on the health condition, body weight, and many more. Basically, the 1.5 mg to 2.5 mg will be calculated per kilogram (kg) of body weight.

These Mercaptopurine is chemotherapy medicine that works with slowing and stopping cancer cell growth.

• Missed Dose

Take the Missed dose as soon as you remember it. When it is time for the next dose, then you must not overdose on the medication.

• Overdose

You must not be taking the excess dose when you have forgot taking mercaptopurine. A double dose would cause side effects in the body. Whether you have accidentally taken the mercaptopurine, then you need to consult a doctor or emergency medical service immediately. 

Availability at Grant Pharmacy

Grant Pharmacy proudly offers Mercaptopurine and other essential medications to support the health and well-being of our community. Our knowledgeable pharmacists are available to provide personalized assistance and answer any questions regarding Mercaptopurine therapy.

Precautions and Warnings:

Normally, the Mercaptopurine will be prescribed in combination with the other medicines. These are significant options for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Mercaptopurine belongs to the antimetabolites group of medicines.  You need to know how long does mercaptopurine stay in your system for using the medication.

Before taking Mercaptopurine, it is essential to know about the precautions and warnings of the medication.

• Pregnancy:

Whether you are pregnant, then it is recommended to consult the doctor before taking the medications. Appropriate studies are not been performed on the effects of mercaptopurine in pregnancy.

• Pediatrics:

The safety of mercaptopurine usage has not been known for children younger than six years or low body mass index.

Consulting the doctor before taking the medication is essential. Oral liquid can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

• Allergies:

If you have any kind of allergic reaction to the ingredients used in the medicine, then it is essential to tell the doctor. Tell your doctor when you have allergies to particular foods, preservatives, or dyes.

• Geriatric:

Whether you have age-related liver, heart or kidney problems, then it is essential to have more caution on taking the medication.

Consult a doctor before taking the dosage of mercaptopurine. Doctors would also adjust the dosage of the medication based on the health condition.

• Breastfeeding:

In the modern day, no adequate studies have been conducted in women about the infant risk during breastfeeding while using mercaptopurine. The doctor would suggest the right dosage when you are breastfeeding.

Side Effects Of Mercaptopurine:

Mercaptopurine has the best effect on treating and managing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The medication could also be causing unwanted side effects in the body.

 The mercaptopurine side effects vary from one person to another based on the health condition.

When you are facing the following side effects in the body then you need to consult the doctor immediately.

• Dark Urine
• Clay Colored Stools
• Bleeding Gums
• Tarry Stools
• Red Spots on the Skin
• Difficult Urination
• Nausea
• Lower Back or Side Pain
• Unusual Tiredness
• Yellow Eyes Or Skin
• Swollen glands
• Ulcers

Storage:

Store the mercaptopurine medicine in a closed container set at room temperature.

Keep the medicine away from the moisture, heat and even direct light

You must not keep the outdated medicine longer.

Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Use the oral liquid one opened within eight weeks. You can simply throw away the unused medicine.

Interactions:

Whether you are using the mercaptopurine with certain medicine then it would be causing the side effects in the body.

Doctors would be altering the dosage before interacting with the other medicine. You can also easily know the mercaptopurine price for saving your money on buying the medicine.

 Doctors would advice to avoid using these medicines along with the mercaptopurine. The doctor would be deciding whether to treat with other medicine or not.

• Allopurinol
• Alacepril
• Adenovirus Vaccine
• Captopril
• Benazepril
• Black Cohosh
• Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine
• Azathioprine
• Cilazapril
• Cholera Vaccine
• Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine
• Doxorubicin

When you are taking mercaptopurine with other medicines, then you can consult the doctor to avoid the side effects. Normally, these medicines are not suitable when used with alcohol or tobacco.

At Grant Pharmacy, we take pride in the positive impact our services have on the lives of our patients. Countless individuals have benefited from Mercaptopurine therapy, achieving remission and enjoying improved quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercaptopurine (FAQs)

What Is Mercaptopurine Used For?

Mercaptopurine is suitable for treating the acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is the type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells. Mercaptopurine comes under the class of medications - purine antagonists.

Is Mercaptopurine An Immunosuppressant?

Mercaptopurine comes under the group of medicines called immunosuppressants. Immune system would be attacking the body's own tissue when the body has the inflammatory bowel disease cells. Normally, the Azathioprine and mercaptopurine works together for providing better effect.

Is Mercaptopurine A Steroid?

Mercaptopurine comes under the immunomodulators and effective option for reducing the swelling and irritation in intestine. These would decrease the long-term requirements for the steroids, so these are often called "steroid-sparing" drugs.

How Long Is Mercaptopurine Treatment?

Mercaptopurine would work slowly, as it could take more about 3 months to see the full effect. The length of treatment will vary from one person to another.

Is Mercaptopurine An Antibiotic?