Is mercaptopurine same as 6-MP?

Mercaptopurine (6-MP), sold under the brand name Purinethol among others, is a medication used for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Specifically it is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

What is the difference between mercaptopurine and azathioprine?

Both azathioprine and mercaptopurine are produced by a number of manufacturers under different brand names. Azathioprine can be known as Imuran, Azafalk, and Azapress; while mercaptopurine can be known as Puri-nethol. Mercaptopurine is also sometimes called 6-mercaptopurine or 6-MP.

What kind of drug is 6-MP?

Mercaptopurine is in a class of medications called purine antagonists. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Is 6-MP the same as azathioprine?

Thiopurines (ie, azathioprine [AZA] and mercaptopurine, also known as 6-mercaptopurine, [6-MP]) exert a glucocorticoid-sparing effect for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who cannot maintain remission when glucocorticoids are tapered and withdrawn.

Is mercaptopurine immune suppressant?

Azathioprine and mercaptopurine are immunosuppressants. The immune system is important for fighting infections, but sometimes cells in the immune system attack the body’s own tissues and trigger inflammation like that in Crohn’s and Colitis.

Is mercaptopurine a chemo?

Mercaptopurine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute promyelocytic leukaemia (a rare form of AML).

How long can you stay on mercaptopurine?

Generally after four years, you and your IBD team will make a decision about whether to continue the medicine. Some people can continue to take the medicine for many years longer. Talk to your IBD team if you would like to think about stopping treatment.

Does mercaptopurine make you gain weight?

Swelling of the body, tiredness, bruising. High blood pressure which may cause headaches, dizziness, blurred vision. Belly pain. Increased appetite and weight gain.

Is 6-mercaptopurine an immunosuppressant?

Both Azathioprine and 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) belong to a group of drugs called thiopurines which are immunosuppressants. Thiopurines work by suppressing inflammation and slowing down the body’s immune response. They are also used to avoid rejection following organ transplantation.

Is 6-MP cytotoxic?

6-mercaptopurine is an active cytotoxic agent for use only under the direction of physician experienced in the administration of such agents. Immunisation using a live organism vaccine has the potential to cause infection in immunocompromised hosts.

Is azathioprine metabolized to mercaptopurine?

Azathioprine is metabolized in the liver before becoming active. One metabolic pathway is through its conversion to 6-mercaptopurine, the active metabolite of 6-mercaptopurine being 6-thioinosinic acid. Azathioprine also is metabolized by other pathways independently of 6-mercaptopurine.

Why is allopurinol given with mercaptopurine?

It is first metabolised to 6-mercaptopurine, which in turn is converted to inactive products by xanthine oxidase. Allopurinol inhibits the second step of metabolism, and higher 6-mercaptopurine plasma levels result, with associated toxic effects on the bone marrow and other tissues.

What are 6 MP drugs?

What is 6MP medication?

It is used for the treatment conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (two forms of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]) and acute lymphocytic leukemia. It may be used for the treatment of other conditions as well. 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) is typically taken once a day, and it could be given either in a tablet or an injection.

What is a 6 MP medication?

Chemotherapy for Crohn’s Disease Methotrexate. Methotrexate is another popular Crohn’s treatment. It was originally used for treating breast cancer. 6-MP. Mercaptopurine, also known as 6-MP, comes in tablet form. It’s one of the more popular chemotherapy treatments for Crohn’s. Infliximab. Infliximab is a TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blocker.