mercaptopurine
Noun: 1. An antimetabolite drug used in chemotherapy: Mercaptopurine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called purine antagonists. It works by interfering with the metabolism and synthesis of purines, which are essential components of DNA and RNA. This action inhibits the growth and multiplication of cells, particularly rapidly dividing cells like cancer cells.
Mercaptopurine is primarily used in a medical context to treat certain types of cancer. It is a prescription medication administered under medical supervision. * It is a chemotherapy agent. * It is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). * It may also be used to treat other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn's disease), where it acts as an immunosuppressant.
- The oncologist added mercaptopurine to the patient's treatment regimen for leukemia.
- A common side effect of mercaptopurine is bone marrow suppression.
- The dosage of mercaptopurine must be carefully monitored with regular blood tests.
- Maintenance therapy: Mercaptopurine is often used as a long-term maintenance therapy to prevent relapse after initial remission in leukemia is achieved.
- Thiopurine metabolism: The drug's effectiveness and toxicity are influenced by individual genetic variations in enzymes involved in thiopurine metabolism, such as TPMT (thiopurine methyltransferase).
- 6-MP: A common abbreviation for mercaptopurine (6-mercaptopurine).
- Purinethol: A former trade name for mercaptopurine.
- Azathioprine: A related immunosuppressant drug that is metabolized in the body to become mercaptopurine.
- Antimetabolite (broader class)
- Purine antagonist (descriptive term)
- Immunosuppressant (when used for autoimmune conditions)
- Cytotoxic drug (descriptive of its mechanism)
- Thiopurine drugs: The class of medications that includes mercaptopurine and azathioprine.
- TPMT testing: Genetic testing performed before starting mercaptopurine therapy to determine safe dosage and avoid severe toxicity.
- Combination chemotherapy: Mercaptopurine is frequently used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.
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a drug (trade name Purinethol) that interferes with the metabolism of purine and is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia
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