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Merinethol 50mg Tablet
Prescription Required
Salt Composition : Mercaptopurine
Manufacturer : RMPL PHARMA LLP
Origin of Medicine : India
10 Tablet(s) In A Strip
Introduction to Merinethol 50mg Tablet
Merinethol 50mg Tablet is a class of anti-cancer drugs that belongs to the category of medicines known as purine antagonists, containing the active ingredient Mercaptopurine. It is used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterised by the overproduction of immature white blood cells, known as lymphoblasts, which are unable to function properly and accumulate in the bone marrow and blood.Â
If you are going to have a vaccination, speak to your doctor or nurse before you have it. When you take this drug, you should not have a live vaccine (like polio, measles, mumps and rubella.) until advised it is safe to do so by your doctor. This is because some vaccines may give you an infection if you have them while you are taking this drug. Do not get vaccinated with yellow fever vaccine while you are taking this drug because it may lead to serious illness. Your doctor may also ask for other blood and urine tests to monitor how your kidneys are working and to measure uric acid levels. Uric acid is a natural substance made in your body and levels of uric acid can rise while you are taking this drug. High levels of uric acid may damage your kidneys, so your doctor may sometimes change your dose of the drug as a result of these tests. It is probably advisable to start with lower doses in patients with impaired renal function, due to slower elimination of the drug and metabolites and a greater cumulative effect. Consideration should be given to reducing the dosage in patients with impaired hepatic function.Â
During the treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your white blood cell counts, platelets, blood sugar, electrolytes and kidney parameters to prevent serious complications. Inform to the doctor if you have been diagnosed with liver disorders, heart failure, high blood cholesterol levels, or hypertension before starting this treatment. This medicine has the potential to cause liver problems, so your doctor will carry out weekly liver function tests when you are taking this drug. Report to your doctor if you experience any hypersensitive reactions like itchy skin or rashes, while taking this medicine. This tablet contains lactose as an inactive ingredient in which the body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It can cause symptoms such as bloating, and abdominal pain. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy.
Uses of Merinethol 50mg Tablet
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Therapeutic Effects of Merinethol 50mg Tablet
It works by interfering with the DNA and RNA function in cancer cells, inhibiting nucleotide synthesis, suppressing the immune system, and activating enzymes that can kill cancer cells. It is usually used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to increase its effectiveness.
Interaction of Merinethol 50mg Tablet with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with Merinethol 50mg Tablet and reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.Â
More Information about Merinethol 50mg Tablet
- Store Merinethol 50mg Tablet in the original package at room temperature (15°C to 25°C).
- Keep it out of reach from children.
How to consume Merinethol 50mg Tablet
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Merinethol 50mg Tablet based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time everyday, with or without food. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water. You must take these tablets at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after having milk or dairy products.
Safety Advices for Merinethol 50mg Tablet
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Pregnancy
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Merinethol 50mg Tablet is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause fetal harm. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy during the treatment.
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Breast Feeding
 ÂMerinethol 50mg Tablet should not be taken if you are breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk. You need to tell your physician if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Lungs
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It is not known whether Merinethol 50mg Tablet can be administered to patients with lung problems. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
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Liver
  Inform your doctor if you have any liver problems before taking Merinethol 50mg Tablet. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is recommended.
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Alcohol
 ÂConsuming alcohol may affect the effectiveness of Merinethol 50mg Tablet. Stop consuming alcohol if you are taking this medicine.
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Driving
  It is unsafe to drive vehicles or operate heavy machinery after taking Merinethol 50mg tablets, it may cause dizziness and impair your concentration.
Side Effects of Merinethol 50mg Tablet
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Nausea, vomiting
- Anemia
- Fever or infection (sore throat, sore mouth, or urinary problems)
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Low white blood cell and platelet count
Word of Advice
It is advised to consult the physician if you experience fever, sore throat, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, signs of local infection, bleeding from any site, or symptoms suggestive of anaemia. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant. It is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause fetal harm. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy during the treatment. This medicine passes into the breast milk. Hence, it is not recommended to breastfeed during this treatment. It is recommended to limit your alcohol intake or avoid it altogether during the treatment. While you are taking this drug, you are more sensitive to the sun and UV light. Just make sure to limit your exposure to sunlight and UV light, wear protective clothing and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF). Low blood sugar (sweating more than usual, nausea, dizziness, confusion, etc.) has sometimes been seen in children, mainly in children under the age of six or with a low body mass index. Talk to your child's doctor if this happens.
FAQs
Q 1. What happens if you take Merinethol 50mg Tablet with milk?
Taking Merinethol 50mg Tablet with milk may decrease the absorption and effectiveness of the medication. This is because the calcium in milk can bind to mercaptopurine, forming an insoluble complex that reduces the amount of the drug that can be absorbed by the body.
Q 2. Can I drink alcohol while taking Merinethol 50mg Tablet?
It is generally advised to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Merinethol 50mg Tablet, as alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage.
Q 3. What is the complication of Merinethol 50mg Tablet?
Merinethol 50mg Tablet can also cause more serious complications, such as bone marrow suppression, which can lead to decreased production of blood cells and an increased risk of infections, bleeding, and anaemia.
Q 4. Which enzyme is responsible for metabolism of Merinethol 50mg Tablet?
The metabolism of Merinethol 50mg Tablet involves several enzymes, including thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), and xanthine oxidase (XO). Among these enzymes, TPMT is primarily responsible for the metabolism of mercaptopurine. TPMT converts mercaptopurine into 6-methylmercaptopurine, which is then further metabolised into inactive compounds that are excreted from the body.
Q 5. What is the recommended dose of this drug?
For the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the recommended dose for adults and children is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight taken orally once a day, usually in combination with other chemotherapy medications.
Q 6. What you should know while taking Merinethol 50mg Tablet?
You should have caution while taking this Merinethol 50mg Tablet, it can cause liver problems like jaundice, hepatomegaly and anorexia.
Fact Box of Merinethol 50mg Tablet
Molecule name: Mercaptopurine | Therapeutic class: Anticancer |
Pharmacological class: Purine antagonists | Indications:Â
|
References
- Aspen Pharma Trading Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on August 2019] (Accessed: April 6, 2023), https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4655.pdf
- Purinethol® (mercaptopurine) 50-mg scored tablets caution. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/009053s032lbl.pdf (Accessed: April 6, 2023).
- Mercaptopurine - HPRA. Available at: https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/792acbf1-e5ab-4598-8f95-30d1e2ddffcc.pdf (Accessed: April 6, 2023).
- Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Cytotoxic agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1701 - 1702.
- KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 863.
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