Purinethol or Purinethol or Mercaptopurine
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Purinethol or Mercaptopurine belongs to a group of drugs known as
antimetabolites. It resembles a normal cell nutrient needed by cancer cells to grow. The
cancer cells take up Purinethol or Mercaptopurine which then interferes with their growth.
Purinethol or Mercaptopurine also is used to treat many types of
autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, acute
idiopathic polyneuritis, acute idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, psoriatic arthritis,
erythroid aplasia, or myelofibrosis; idiopathic hemolytic anemia; macroglobulinemia;
idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura; idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis; multiple
sclerosis; myasthenia gravis; uveitis; and ulcerative colitis. Talk to your doctor about
the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
Before taking Purinethol or Mercaptopurine
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Purinethol or Mercaptopurine or
any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially allopurinol (Zyloprim), anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as
warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, and vitamins.
- you should know that Purinethol or Mercaptopurine may interfere with the normal
menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you
should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or that you cannot get someone else
pregnant. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors before they
begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy
or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable
method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Purinethol or Mercaptopurine may harm the
fetus.
- do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your
doctor.
Side effects of Purinethol or Mercaptopurine
Side effects from Purinethol or Mercaptopurine are common and include:
- headache
- weakness or achiness
- darkening of the skin
- loss of appetite or weight
Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or lasts for
several hours:
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- painful urination or red urine
- black, tarry stools
- diarrhea
- pain in the abdomen
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the feet or legs
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- nausea and vomiting
- rash
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- joint pain
Special instructions
- Drink plenty of fluids. Drink about 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluid and urinate
frequently during the first 24 hours after treatment to keep your kidneys working.
- The most common side effect of Purinethol or Mercaptopurine is a decrease in the number
of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to
see if your blood cells are affected by the drug.
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