Name
MERCAPTOPURINE
Mode of Action
IT IS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG. IT IS CONVERTED IN THE BODY TO CORRESPONDING MONORIBONUCLEOTIDES WHICH INHIBITS THE CONVERSIION OF INOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE TO ADENINE AND GUANINE NUCLEOTIDES. THERE IS ALSO FEED BACK INHIBITION OF THE NOVOPURINE SYNTHESIS.
Dosage
2.5 MG/KG/DAY OR 75-100 MG PER SQ. METER BODY SURFACE AREA PER DAY, IF THERE IS NO CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT AND NO EVIDENCE OF WHITE-CELL DEPRESSION AFTER 4 WEEKS, THE DOSE MAY BE CAUTIOUSLY INCREASED UP TO 5 MG/KG DAILY. HALF DOSE FOR MAINTENANCE.
Drug Group
[ANTICANCER] , [ANTIMETABOLITE] , [ANTINEOPLASTIC] , [PURINE ANALOGUE]
Cross Reaction
ALLOPURINOL INCREASES THE BLOOD LEVEL OF MERCAPTOPURINE, ANTICOAGULANT ACTION OF WARFARIN MAY BE INHIBITED BY MERCAPTOPURINE, OTHER MYELOSUPPRESSIVE AGENTS POTENTIATE ANTINEOPLASTIC AND HEPATOTOXIC EFFECT.
Drug Interaction
Drugs Side Effect
Drug Categories
Special Precaution
Drug Safety
Monograph