Purinethol Side Effects

Serious Side Effects of Purinethol

• Purinethol can increase your risk of getting a new type of cancer. Some patients taking Purinethol have developed hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This type of cancer can quickly become fatal. If you begin to rapidly lose weight, have night sweats, have pale skin, experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, or become bruised or bleed easily, contact your doctor immediately.
• If you experience a loss of appetite, nausea, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, darkened urine, pain while urinating, or upper stomach pain that spreads to the shoulders, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
• Coffee ground-like vomit and clay-colored, black, or tarry stools are signs of serious negative reactions to Purinethol. Stop taking Purinethol and talk to your physician if you experience these symptoms.
• Talk to your doctor if you exhibit symptoms of infection such as fever, sore throat, achey-ness, unexplained weakness or muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms.

Common Side Effects of Purinethol

• Thinning or loss of hair may be caused by taking Purinethol.
• You may experience mild vomiting or diarrhea while taking Purinethol.
• Purinethol can darken your skin tone, cause mild itchiness, or cause skin rashes.
• Taking this medication might lower your blood cell count and decrease your body's ability to ward off infection. Avoid being around people with infections.

Warnings & Recalls for Purinethol

Purinethol Warnings

• Purinethol should not be used until you have been diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia by an established physician who is familiar with the risks involved with Purinethol treatment, and who can evaluate medical responses to the medication.
• Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you are currently taking or plan to take while  using Purinethol.
• If you have taken mercaptopurine or thioguanine to treat cancer in the past without improvement, your doctor may decide it is not best for you to take Purinethol.
• Purinethol may harm unborn children. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant before taking this medication.
• Talk to your doctor about any current infections you have, or if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.
• Patients with autoimmune disease might have an increased risk of developing lymphoma.
• Avoid receiving any immunizations or vaccinations without talking to your doctor first.

Purinethol Treatment and Use

Purinethol | Mercaptopurine is a purine antagonist use as a treatment for lymphocytic leukemia. This disease can also be called acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphatic leukemia. It can also be used to treat other types of cancer, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

How does Purinethol work?

Cancer is caused by unregulated cell division.  Antimetabolites like Purinethol stop cells from being able to divide any further by attacking the affected cells during specific points of the cell division process. As the medication kills off these cells, tumors shrink and the spread of cancer is slowed or stopped. However, chemotherapy treatments are not able to differentiate between normal and “bad” cells. As a result, the medications stop all cell division during treatment. However, normal cells are reproduced healthily over time.

Purinethol Dosage Information

Purinethol is often taken once daily around the same time each day. Continue taking Purinethol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you, even if your symptoms improve.  Your doctor may adjust your dosage after observing your body’s response to treatment.

Drink ample amounts of liquid while taking Purinethol.

Other Names for Purinethol

• Purinethol

• Mercaptopurine


• 6-Mercaptopurine


• 6-MP

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Purinethol