Mercaptopurine
Chemical compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mercaptopurine (6-MP), sold under the brand name Purinethol among others, is a medication used for cancer and autoimmune diseases.[1] Specifically it is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.[1][2] For acute lymphocytic leukemia it is generally used with methotrexate.[1] It is taken orally.[1]
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Trade names | Purinethol, Purixan, others |
Other names | 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682653 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
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Bioavailability | 5 to 37% |
Metabolism | xanthine oxidase |
Elimination half-life | 60 to 120 min., longer for its active metabolites |
Excretion | kidney |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.035 |
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Formula | C5H4N4S |
Molar mass | 152.18 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, liver toxicity, vomiting, and loss of appetite.[1] Other serious side effects include an increased risk of future cancer and pancreatitis.[1] Those with a genetic deficiency in thiopurine S-methyltransferase are at higher risk of side effects.[1] Use in pregnancy may harm the baby.[1] Mercaptopurine is in the thiopurine and antimetabolite family of medications.[3][2]
Mercaptopurine was approved for medical use in the United States in 1953.[1] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[4]