Details for: MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP
Company: STERIMAX INC
DIN | DIN name | Active Ingredient(s) | Strength | Dosage Form | Route of Administration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
02415275 | MERCAPTOPURINE TABLETS USP | MERCAPTOPURINE | 50 MG | TABLET | ORAL |
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
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
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) | ✔ | ✔ |
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