Had to stop Mercaptopurine - what else ?

[FruitLoop]

Hi - i have been taking mercaptopurine (6MP, Purinethol) for a week and have become progressively ill over the week.

Today i could hardly get out of bed and was feeling sick, achey, headachey, back pain, e.t.c so the GP took me off them and said the consultant will speak to me next week for an alternative.

I have 2 questions - anyone else felt like this on 6mp ?

Also what's a good alternative with fewer side effects ?

Thanks

 

[Jeff D.]

I took 6mp for four years without side effects. There are so many different drugs to choose from I wouldn't know where to start about telling alternatives.

 

[FruitLoop]

I took 6mp for four years without side effects. There are so many different drugs to choose from I wouldn't know where to start about telling alternatives.

i was thinking along the lines of 6MP / AZA ? I have taken AZA in the past but it made me really sick, i have taken 6mp before with no side effects but had to stop it after about 4 months due to liver problems showing on the blood tests. Is there another drug in the same line as those two but without the sickness ?

 

[Jeff D.]

Well if you have already taken AZA, known by the brand name Imuran in America at least, then I don't think there is anything in the same family. Also, if you have had bad side effects from both then I don't think it would be a good idea to use the same family of drug next time. Maybe something from another family of drugs that doesn't turn into 6mp. I would check here for a bunch of drugs we have. Most of them have been reviewed. Good luck and I hope you get on something that doesn't give you a reaction.

 

[FruitLoop]

Well if you have already taken AZA, known by the brand name Imuran in America at least, then I don't think there is anything in the same family. Also, if you have had bad side effects from both then I don't think it would be a good idea to use the same family of drug next time. Maybe something from another family of drugs that doesn't turn into 6mp. I would check here for a bunch of drugs we have. Most of them have been reviewed. Good luck and I hope you get on something that doesn't give you a reaction.

Thanks Jeff - I will ask my consultant if there is another group we can move on to.

Maybe i am just a wuss:lol:

 

[milesrlv]

I became extremely ill on 6MP with similar symptoms and was also taken off of it. Apparently it was killing my bone marrow.

 

[drew_wymore]

I was going to mention the biologics also (remicaide etc) .. because thats the next class to move to if everything else hasn't worked.

 

[soupdragon69]

Yep, both 6MP and Aza impacted on my liver and had to stop them. They also made me feel even rougher with a general flu like feeling and added to the exhaustion. Am on remicade and it seems to be doing the trick.