How long do side effects from Mercaptopurine last?

[VickyW]

Hi am new to the forum. My husband has crohns and is just trying out new medication. He has been taking Mercaptopurine for a week now and is suffering with some severe side effects including severe abdominal pain, clammyness and loss of appitite, dehydrating gassyness and feeling generally unwell and weak along with being very thirsty. We have contacted the hospital to ask if these symptoms will pass with time but they don't seem to be able to tell us. Has anyone else who has taken this drug had side effects that have cleared after taking this drug for some time if so how long did it take to get over them? He has already given up on the first lot that he was prescribed. Before taking the drugs he felt quite well he is a farmer and usually strong as an ox but currently he is in a bad way. any advise would be welcome thanks

 

[yc_angel]

I'd contact his GI doctor again...this sort of reaction doesnt realy seem normal.
I was allergic to the Mercaptopurine and had to go off after just 2 weeks.

So just to make sure...ring up the doctors again.

Xx

Yanet

 

[Johnnysmom]

My son took about a month to adjust to 6mp.

Is your husband on any other medications now? 6mp takes 3-4 months to become effective and usually a Dr. will treat with other medications (prednisone) while waiting for the 6mp to work.

Also, it helped for my son to take it right before bed so he could sleep through any nausea. You do need to drink extra water while taking it. Avoid milk products for one hour before taking it as that will reduce absorption.

He should let his Dr. know how he is feeling. I know that my son was on too high of a dose at first and had severe nausea and felt very unwell. Once they found the right dose for him, no side effects at all.

Good luck, I hope 6mp works as well for your husband as it has for us.

((((((Hugs))))))))

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Hello
You must speak to your doctor and let him know what is happening. Does your husband have a temperature? I was only on it for 3 days and had to come off it due to severe side effects. If you can't speak to your doctor maybe miss one dose and see how your husband is after that. I started to feel much better almost immediately.

 

[VickyW]

thanks to all for replies so far. He tried the azathioprane? first but stopped taking after 11 days as he was even worse on that. When we have contacted the hospital they have just told us to be aware of pancreatitus and to go to A & E if the pains go through from front to back, not been much help re whether to keep taking or to stop and what other meds her could use to control the pain and other symptoms. Will speak to them again tomorrow. He went for bloods doing today but couldn't see a doctor as there weren't any there, hard to believe no doctors in a hospital to deal with a patient in pain having a reaction to drugs they have given him. Not at all happy and had I been there they would have found a doctor but you know what men can be like!

 

[CeeCeeGo]

The bloods may take 24 hours to come back - I would contact them tomorrow.

If he is still in pain, stop taking the 6MP until you and he have seen your specialist GI doctor. Does he have one by the way?

If he gets a temperature of 38 or more or starts throwing up then I would go to A&E.

Take care.