DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more

Purinethol (Mercaptopurine) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

 
 



ADVERSE REACTIONS

The principal and potentially serious toxic effects of PURINETHOL are bone marrow toxicity and hepatotoxicity (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).

Hematologic

The most frequent adverse reaction to PURINETHOL is myelosuppression. The induction of complete remission of acute lymphatic leukemia frequently is associated with marrow hypoplasia. Patients without TPMT enzyme activity (homozygous-deficient) are particularly susceptible to hematologic toxicity, and some patients with low or intermediate TPMT enzyme activity are more susceptible to hematologic toxicity than patients with normal TPMT activity (see WARNINGS, Bone Marrow Toxicity), although the latter can also experience severe toxicity. Maintenance of remission generally involves multiple-drug regimens whose component agents cause myelosuppression. Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia are frequently observed. Dosages and also schedules are adjusted to prevent life-threatening cytopenias.

Renal

Hyperuricemia and/or hyperuricosuria may occur in patients receiving PURINETHOL as a consequence of rapid cell lysis accompanying the antineoplastic effect. Renal adverse effects can be minimized by increased hydration, urine alkalinization, and the prophylactic administration of a xanthine oxidase inhibitor such as allopurinol. The dosage of PURINETHOL should be reduced to one third to one quarter of the usual dose if allopurinol is given concurrently.

Gastrointestinal

Intestinal ulceration has been reported. Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia are uncommon during initial administration, but may increase with continued administration. Mild diarrhea and sprue-like symptoms have been noted occasionally, but it is difficult at present to attribute these to the medication. Oral lesions are rarely seen, and when they occur they resemble thrush rather than antifolic ulcerations.

Miscellaneous

The administration of PURINETHOL has been associated with skin rashes and hyperpigmentation. Alopecia has been reported.

Drug fever has been very rarely reported with PURINETHOL. Before attributing fever to PURINETHOL, every attempt should be made to exclude more common causes of pyrexia, such as sepsis, in patients with acute leukemia.

Oligospermia has been reported.



REPORTS OF SUSPECTED PURINETHOL SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS

Below is a sample of reports where side effects / adverse reactions may be related to Purinethol. The information is not vetted and should not be considered as verified clinical evidence.

Possible Purinethol side effects / adverse reactions in 45 year old male

Reported by a physician from Canada on 2011-10-14

Patient: 45 year old male weighing 60.0 kg (132.0 pounds)

Reactions: Small Intestine Carcinoma, Drug Ineffective

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Remicade
    Indication: Crohn's Disease
    Start date: 2010-01-01
    End date: 2011-06-01

Purinethol
    Indication: Crohn's Disease
    Start date: 1995-01-01
    End date: 2011-06-01

Corticosteroids
    Indication: Product Used FOR Unknown Indication



Possible Purinethol side effects / adverse reactions in 45 year old male

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from France on 2012-01-10

Patient: 45 year old male

Reactions: Listeriosis

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Purinethol
    Indication: Colitis Ulcerative

Remicade
    Indication: Colitis Ulcerative
    Start date: 2011-06-01

Prednisolone
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Colitis Ulcerative

Other drugs received by patient: Fivasa; Imuran



Possible Purinethol side effects / adverse reactions in 42 year old male

Reported by a consumer/non-health professional from Germany on 2012-01-20

Patient: 42 year old male weighing 87.0 kg (191.4 pounds)

Reactions: Hyperbilirubinaemia, Cholestasis

Suspect drug(s):
Vincristine
    Indication: Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
    Start date: 2011-12-26

Cyclophosphamide
    Indication: Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
    Start date: 2012-01-01

Purinethol
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
    Start date: 2012-01-07
    End date: 2012-01-09

Methotrexate
    Dosage: also on 10-jan-2012
    Indication: Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
    Start date: 2012-01-03

Pegaspargase
    Dosage: 1df= 4000u
    Indication: Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia
    Start date: 2011-12-26

Dasatinib
    Dosage: interrupted:12jan2012.
    Indication: Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia



See index of all Purinethol side effect reports >>

Drug label data at the top of this Page last updated: 2012-08-02

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017