Mercaptopurine

Question 1

drug classification

Answer 1

antineoplastic agent
purine antagonist

Question 2

used to treat

Answer 2

ALL
Acute promyelotic leukaemia
autoimmune hepatitis
crohns

Question 3

brand names

Answer 3

Purixan
6MP

Question 4

methods of administration

Answer 4

orally in tablet or liquid suspension

Question 5

mechanism of action

Answer 5

inhibits purine synthesis
therefore inhibits nucleic acid synthesis

Question 6

potential concerns

Answer 6

thiopurine methyltransferase metabolises thiopurine drugs
activity level should be measured before starting azathiopurine or mercaptopurine
absent TMPT activity shouldn’t receive thiopurine

risk of myelosuppression is increased in patients with reduced activity of the enzyme

Question 7

side effects

Answer 7

thrombocytopenia
hepatotoxicity
myelosuppression

Question 8

how does it link to the PBL case

Answer 8

used in maintenance therapy in ALL
take constantly through the 12 week cycle