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Mepurine Tablet
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Mepurine Tablet

Manufactured bySAMARTH LIFE SCIENCES PVT LTD
ContainsMercaptopurine
Description
Mepurine Tablet is an anti-cancer medicine. It is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer that affects your white blood cells. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells (cells that divide continually and form tumors) and prevents the spread of cancer to other parts of your body. Mepurine Tablet may cause common side effects such as nausea/vomiting, anaemia (low red blood cell count), etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or if you experience any other severe side effects. Frequent monitoring of your red blood cell count is recommended. Mepurine Tablet should be taken exactly as advised by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your body. Mepurine Tablet should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems before taking this medicine. Close evaluation with respect to your current medicines is necessary to avoid any undesired side effects. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

Substitutes

List of substitutes for Mepurine Tablet

6-MP 50 mg Tablet
Zydus Cadila

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Mepurine Tablet

  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Anaemia (Low red blood cell count)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Hair loss

Uses of Mepurine Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • Blood cancer
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The time required for Mepurine Tablet to show its action is one hour.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The duration for which Mepurine Tablet remains active in your body is not clinically known.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Mepurine Tablet.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Mepurine Tablet is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. This medicine may cause severe side effects in your foetus. If you are pregnant, discuss all the risks and benefits of taking this medicine with your doctor before starting treatment.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    Mepurine Tablet passes into breast milk and may affect your infant. If you are breastfeeding, this medicine is not recommended.

Allergy

Avoid taking Mepurine Tablet if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Mepurine Tablet is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. This medicine may cause severe side effects in your foetus. If you are pregnant, discuss all the risks and benefits of taking this medicine with your doctor before starting treatment.

Breast-feeding

Mepurine Tablet passes into breast milk and may affect your infant. If you are breastfeeding, this medicine is not recommended.
General warnings

Infections

Mepurine Tablet may increase your risk of infections. Hence, close monitoring of your body temperature and blood cell count is recommended.

Driving or operating machinery

Mepurine Tablet is not known to affect your ability to drive and operate machines. However, do not perform any activities that require mental alertness until you completely know how this medicine affects you.

Photosensitivity

When taken along with other anti-cancer medicines, Mepurine Tablet may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. Use sunscreen (with a high sun protection factor) and wear protective clothing.

Use contraception

Use a reliable form of contraception to avoid pregnancy for the entire course of treatment with Mepurine Tablet and for at least 3 months after receiving the last dose. This is recommended for both men and women.

Other Medicines

Mepurine Tablet may interact with other medicines and may cause undesired side effects. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before taking this medicine.

Missed Dose

Try not to skip a dose of Mepurine Tablet. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.

Overdose

Do not take more than what is prescribed by your doctor. Contact your doctor in case of an overdose with Mepurine Tablet.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Febuxostat

Live vaccines

Etanercept

Zidovudine

Adalimumab

Azathioprine

Allopurinol

Disease interactions

Myelosuppression

Myelosuppression is a condition in which there is reduced production of blood cells in your body. In such conditions, Mepurine Tablet is not recommended as it may further lower your red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts.

Kidney Disease

Mepurine Tablet is eliminated by kidneys and should be used with caution if you have pre-existing kidney problems due to the increased risk of side effects, resulting from the accumulation of this medicine in your body. Your kidney function will be closely monitored and the dose may be adjusted based on your clinical condition.

TMPT enzyme deficiency

TPMT deficiency is a condition with reduced levels of the enzyme Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT). This enzyme is required to break down Mepurine Tablet and helps in its elimination from your body. Lack of this enzyme results in the accumulation of this medicine and causes severe myelosuppression (low blood cell count). Hence dose adjustments may be required if you have this condition.

Liver Disease

Mepurine Tablet may increase your risk of liver damage. This risk is especially higher if you have pre-existing liver problems. Inform your doctor if you experience any signs and symptoms of liver damage such as jaundice (the whites of your eyes or skin turn yellow), dark urine, etc. Your liver function will be closely monitored through periodic liver function tests while you are taking this medicine.

Mutated NUDT15 gene

Caution should be maintained as there is an increased risk of toxicity with Mepurine Tablet if there is a mutation in NUDT15 (Nudix Hydrolase 15, a Protein Coding gene). Medical tests would be conducted before initiating Mepurine Tablet therapy.
Food interactions
Food may reduce the absorption of Mepurine Tablet. Hence take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after your meal.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Mepurine Tablet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after your meal. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition. Anti-cancer medicines are usually very strong and can have many side effects. Discuss with your doctor to understand all the benefits and risks before starting the treatment. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects or if they become severe. Mepurine Tablet may lower your blood cell count, therefore periodic monitoring of your blood cell count is recommended. Do not drive or operate machines if you experience any symptoms that may affect your alertness after taking Mepurine Tablet.
Miscelleneous

To be taken on an empty stomach

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Effect on sleep is not established

How it works
Mepurine Tablet is an anti-cancer medicine that works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Approved

Classification

Category

Antimetabolites, Purine antagonists, Antineoplastics

Schedule

Schedule G

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Mercaptopurine 50 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 September 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4655/smpc>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 September 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4655.pdf>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 September 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/009053s032lbl.pdf>

Drugs, H., 2021. Mercaptopurine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 23 September 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682653.html>
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Information on this page was last updated on 25 Oct 2021

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