Purimmun
Purimmun is a medicine used to treat a type of blood cancer (leukemia) by reducing the number of new blood cells your body makes.
Form
tabletti
Strength
50 mg
Active Ingredient
Mercaptopurine monohydrate
Manufacturer
2Care4 Generics ApS
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose based on your weight, body size, and blood test results.
Method
Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not chew, break, or crush them. Take them with or without food, but always at the same time each day. Take at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after milk or dairy products, preferably in the evening for better effect.
Important
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Decrease in white blood cells and platelets (seen in blood tests)
- •Nausea or vomiting
- •Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- •Liver damage (seen in blood tests)
- •Loss of appetite
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
RARE
- •Joint pain, skin rash, and fever due to allergic reaction
- •Severe liver damage (liver necrosis)
- •Infections, general feeling of illness, sore throat, and fever (these can be serious, contact a doctor if you have fever)
- •Hair loss
- •Mouth sores
- •Low sperm count in men
- •Swelling of the face due to allergic reaction
- •Various types of cancer, including cervical, lymph node, skin, and connective tissue cancer
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in patients with leukemia (blood cancer)
- •Another type of leukemia than the one being treated
- •Intestinal ulcers, with symptoms like stomach pain and bleeding
- •Rare type of cancer (hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
- •Burning or stinging sensation in the mouth or lips (inflammation of the mouth lining, stomatitis)
- •Cracked or swollen lips (cheilitis)
- •Vitamin B3 deficiency (pellagra) with localized pigmented rash, diarrhea, or impaired memory, reasoning, or thinking
- •Increased sensitivity to sunlight and UV light, which may lead to skin reactions
- •Skin nodules (erythema nodosum)
- •Decreased blood clotting factors
- •Low blood sugar levels in children, with symptoms like more sweating than usual, nausea, dizziness, and confusion (mostly in children under 6 with low body weight)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Purimmun if you are allergic to mercaptopurine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- You must not get a yellow fever vaccine while taking Purimmun, as it can be fatal.
- Avoid live vaccines (like flu, measles, mumps, rubella, BCG) during treatment unless your doctor says it's safe.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, as these organs need to be checked regularly.
- This medicine can affect your bone marrow, leading to fewer white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check this.
Show 6 more warnings
- Purimmun can be harmful to your liver. Your doctor will do weekly liver function tests. Tell your doctor right away if your skin or eyes turn yellow, as you may need to stop treatment.
- You will be more sensitive to sunlight and UV light during treatment. Limit your exposure and use protective clothing and high-SPF sunscreen.
- If you are planning to have children, Purimmun can harm sperm or eggs. Use reliable birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after stopping it.
- Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to, as your illness may return.
- Accidental ingestion by children can be deadly. Keep Purimmun out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Handle tablets carefully. If you or your caregiver handle broken tablets, wash hands immediately. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not handle this medicine.