Mercaptopurine

[monroe]

mercaptopurine

I just started 50mg of mercaptopurine about 3 days ago (along with the entocort ive been using) and was wondering if vomitting was a normal side effect? I took 1 pill each this morning, jumped into the shower and the minute I came out I felt super nauseated. It was mostly liquid that i threw up, and maybe wondering if it is because I didn't eat before I took the meds? I know dumb idea, but this never has happened to me before :mario2: ..who's tummy is ready for the holidays?! uh ohhh

 

[monroe]

I think it was just from being on an empty stomach. I usually go through about 3-5 water bottles a day, especially since my stomach isn't too keen on different foods right now. My mother bought me a whole rotisserie chicken (the ones from the supermarket) and told me she expects me to finish the whole thing in by tomorrow night! Ha, shes crazy.

I know when your on Mercaptopurine your supposed to get weekly blood tests done at first (doctor told me) but he sent my prescribtion for Mercaptopurine by mail and told me to take it so I can take some PROMETHEOUS TEST? Does anyone know exactly whats that for? And the note said nothing about calling him for an appointment.

 

[RHOV]

The prometheus test measures the level of the drug in your system. It makes sure you have enough of the "good" drug that should help you, and that you have an acceptable level of the "bad" toxic part of the drug. If the levels of the toxic part are too high, it can cause liver damage. the tests will make sure the dose you're getting is right for you. I was on Imuran about a year ago (it's converted into 6-mercaptopurine by the body), and i remember that the toxic part of the drug was 6-thioguanine. I can't remember the name of the good part!

Basically, your blood has to be tested every so often to make sure the levels of drugs are acceptable!

 

[monroe]

Thanks RHOV. When I heard prometheus test I was so confused because I've never heard of it before. Ive got a lot to learn.

 

[RHOV]

if you can figure out exactly what they're testing for (sorry i can't remember) make sure you check when they draw blood. my clinic was HORRIBLE. they kept losing my papers (even when I told them i had a standing order) and testing for the wrong things. it was way more trouble than it was worth. The prometheus tests are EXPENSIVE, so if they make a mistake, you could end up shelling out quite a few bucks for it.

 

[danman]

I was on 6-MP for almost 10 years until recently. I didn't find any problems with sickness ever, but then again I seem to have a cast iron stomach for a Crohnie.

A few times over the 10 years, I went off the 6-MP, usually for my own stupid "forget to take them because I'm feeling fine" reasons. It usually took 2 to 3 weeks for them to take effect again.

Hopefully they'll kick in soon, but keep taking them. As I said, I had a habit over the years to stop taking them, because I was in a small remission. Then all hell would break loose again.

Also,remember to get regular bloods done when on 6-MP.

 

[monroe]

Prometheus tests are expensive? Great, kinda sucks since I'm a college student paying my own medical bills .

The throwing up happened again today, maybe its because I take My entocort with it, I'll start taking the medicines at different times and maybe they wont cause the nausea.

Danman- I plan on still taking it, ill give it another week and if the throwing up continues I'll place a call to my GI and figure out what to do. I'm still careful of what I eat because I hate the pain, Thanks for the advice.

 

[ErinDF]

Monroe...
The prometheus tests are expensive because there is only one lab in the country that actually does them. Do you have health insurance? If so, the insurance should cover it as its medically necessary. Every once in a while (when I hadn't had it in awhile) my insurance company would refuse payment because the Prometheus lab wasn't in their network. Then we would call and explain that it was the only lab that did that test and then they always covered it as an exception.

Also, I was on it for ten years and never had problems (but I don't really have major problems with side effects). If throwing up continues I'd definitely call the doc, maybe they'd adjust your dose or something.

 

[monroe]

Well today I just woke up, and now theres blood in my b/m. I never once had this happen. Now i think its time to call the doctor.