Language selection

Government of Canada

Search

Details for: MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP

Company: STERIMAX INC

DIN DIN name Active Ingredient(s) Strength Dosage Form Route of Administration
02415275MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USPMERCAPTOPURINE50 MGTABLETORAL
Search Reported Side Effects Report a Side Effect

Consumer Information

This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

What the medication is used for

MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP is indicated for maintenance therapy of acute lymphatic (lymphocytic, lymphoblastic) leukemia in combination with other drugs. The response to this drug depends upon the particular type of acute lymphatic leukemia and the age of the patient (child or adult).

MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP belongs to a group of medicines called Antileukemics, which are used to treat leukemia, a cancer of blood cells. MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP is used to treat leukemia of specific types of blood cells.

What it does

MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP is converted in the body to the active form which is then incorporated into cancer cells and interferes with their growth. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by mercaptopurine, other side effects also occur

When it should not be used

If you have previously experienced an allergic or bad reaction to mercaptopurine or any of the other ingredients in MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP listed below.

You should not be immunized with a live vaccine if you are taking MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP

What the medicinal ingredient is

Mercaptopurine is also known as 6-mercaptopurine or 6-MP

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Corn starch, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, lactose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, potato starch and stearic acid.

What dosage form it comes in

Tablet 50 mg

Warnings and precautions

BEFORE you use MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • you have previously experienced an allergic or bad reaction to mercaptopurine or any of the other ingredients in MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP listed above.
  • you are planning to have a baby (this question applies to both men and women).
  • you are taking any other medicines (see Interaction with this Medication).
  • you suffer from liver or kidney disease.
  • you have a rare hereditary condition, where you have too little of the natural body chemical thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) enzyme in your body. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
  • you are planning to be immunized with a live vaccine.

The use of MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP during pregnancy should be avoided if possible, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. If you are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant, you should discuss with your doctor, whether the benefit of taking MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP outweighs the possible risk of problems with your pregnancy, before starting your tablets

Mothers receiving MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP should not breast-feed. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you need to know of alternative methods to breastfeeding.

As with all cytotoxic chemotherapy, contraceptive precautions should be taken if either partner is taking MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP. MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP may increase your risk of developing cancer, especially certain types of leukemia or lymphoma.

Interactions with this medication

Tell your doctor about all other medication that you are taking, including the following which may interact with MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP, such as allopurinol, azothioprine, mesalazine, olsalazine, sulphasalazine and warfarin

If you are taking certain other medicines such as allopurinol, your doctor should decrease your dose of MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP.

Proper use of this medication

Usual dose

  • It is important to take your medicine at the right times. You must take it in the way your doctor has told you to. The label on your pack will tell you how many tablets to take and how often to take them. If the label doesn't say or if you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • The dosage is very variable and it may be changed from time to time by your doctor. If you are not sure or the dosage on the label has changed for no apparent reason, ask your doctor.
  • The usual starting dose for adults and children is worked out by your doctor based on your body weight - 2.5 mg per kg of body weight per day, or on your body surface area - 50 to 75 mg per meter squared of body surface area per day. Elderly patients will have their kidney and liver function tested and if necessary the dose may need to be reduced.
  • Your doctor may reduce your dose of MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP if you have kidney or liver disease or you are taking any other medicines that can cause a decrease in the body's ability to produce white blood cells and platelets, such as other cytotoxic medicines.
  • Swallow your tablets with a little water

From time to time while you are taking MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP, your doctor will want you to have a blood test. This is to check your blood cell count and to change your dose if necessary.

MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP belongs to a group of medicines called cytotoxics, which are an irritant to the eyes and skin. To prevent irritation it is important to wash your hands immediately after handling or halving the tablets, to avoid contact with the eyes and be careful not to inhale any particles of the tablet.

Overdose

In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take a dose, go back to your regular dosing schedule and tell your doctor. Do not double your next dose.

Side effects and what to do about them

Serious side effects, how often they happen and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk with your doctor or pharmacist Only if severe Talk with your doctor or pharmacist In all cases Stop taking drug and talk with your doctor or pharmacist
Common
Blood or liver problems: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe or prolonged diarrhea, abdominal pain, mouth ulcers, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)   ✔ ✔
Hypersensitivity reactions such as swelling, rash, fever   ✔ ✔
Unexpected bruising or bleeding (ie. Bleeding in urine, stool, gums)   ✔ ✔
MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP may cause side effects in some people, mainly reduced cell production in the bone marrow.

During your treatment your doctor will take blood tests to check your liver function. Your doctor may take other blood and urine tests to monitor your uric acid levels, a natural body chemical of which levels may rise while being treated with MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP. As with all cytotoxic medicines, there is an increased risk of damage to the genes in some cells. Cases of certain types of leukemia and of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) have been reported in patients treated with mercaptopurine.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store

Keep your MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP in a dry, safe place where children cannot see or reach them.

  • MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP should be stored in a dry place between 15˚ and 30˚C.
  • Do not take any tablets after the expiry date shown on the pack
  • If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, please return any which are left over to your pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.

This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:

  • Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
    • Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
    • Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program
                     Health Canada
                     Postal Locator 0701E
                     Ottawa, Ontario
                     K1A 0K9

    Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at:
http://www.sterimaxinc.com or by contacting the sponsor, SteriMax Inc, at:
1-800-881-3550

This leaflet was prepared by SteriMax Inc.

Last revised: November 19, 2014

Date modified: