MERCAPTOPURINE 20 mg/mL
MERCAPTOPURINE · SUSPENSION · Nova Laboratories, Ltd
Mercaptopurine is an oral suspension used to treat certain types of cancer and leukemia, as well as inflammatory bowel disease in some patients. This medication works by interfering with cancer cell growth and requires careful monitoring by your healthcare provider during treatment.
Key Facts
- Brand Name
- MERCAPTOPURINE
- Generic Name
- MERCAPTOPURINE
- NDC Code (Product)
62484-1020- Manufacturer
- Nova Laboratories, Ltd
- Strength
- 20 mg/mL
- Dosage Form
- SUSPENSION
- Route
- ORAL
- Marketing Status
- Application #
- NDA205919
- Marketing Start
- 09/08/2025
Recall History
No Recall HistorySide Effects Reported to FDA
FDA FAERS database · These are reported events, not confirmed side effects
Full Prescribing Information
Indications & Usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Mercaptopurine is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as part of a combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Mercaptopurine is indicated for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as part of a combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen.
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • The recommended starting dosage of mercaptopurine oral suspension is 1.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg (50 mg/m 2 to 75 mg/m 2 ) orally once daily as part of a combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen. Adjust dose to maintain desirable absolute neutrophil count and for excessive myelosuppression. ( 2.1 ) • Renal Impairment : Use the lowest recommended starting dose or increase the dosing interval. ( 2.3 , 8.6 ) • Hepatic Impairment : Use the lowest recommended starting dose. ( 2.3 , 8.7 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended starting dose of mercaptopurine oral suspension is 1.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg (50 mg/m 2 to 75 mg/m 2 ) orally once daily as part of combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen. Take mercaptopurine oral suspension either consistently with or without food. After initiating mercaptopurine, monitor complete blood counts (CBC) and adjust the dose to maintain absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at a desirable level and for excessive myelosuppression. Evaluate the bone marrow in patients with prolonged myelosuppression or repeated episodes of myelosuppression to assess leukemia status and marrow cellularity. Evaluate thiopurine S-methyltransferase (…
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. • None
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Allopurinol : Reduce the dose of mercaptopurine when coadministered with allopurinol. ( 2.4 , 7.1 ) • Warfarin : Mercaptopurine may decrease the anticoagulant effect. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Allopurinol Allopurinol can inhibit the first-pass oxidative metabolism of mercaptopurine by xanthine oxidase, which can lead to an increased risk of mercaptopurine adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Reduce the dose of mercaptopurine when coadministered with allopurinol [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . 7.2 Warfarin The coadministration of mercaptopurine with warfarin may decrease the anticoagulant effectiveness of warfarin. Monitor the international normalized ratio (INR) in patients receiving warfarin and adjust the warfarin dosage as appropriate. 7.3 Myelosuppressive Products Mercaptopurine can cause myelosuppression. Myelosuppression may be increased when mercaptopurine is coadministered with other drugs that cause myelosuppression. Enhanced myelosuppression has been noted in some patients receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Monitor the CBC and adjust the dose of mercaptopurine for excessive myelosuppression [see Dosa…
Adverse Reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Treatment Related Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Macrophage Activation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] The most common adverse reaction (>20%) is myelosuppression, including anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia. Adverse reactions occurring in 5% to 20% of patients include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise and rash. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Based on multicenter cooperative group ALL trials, the most common adverse …
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MERCAPTOPURINE used for?
Mercaptopurine is an oral suspension used to treat certain types of cancer and leukemia, as well as inflammatory bowel disease in some patients. This medication works by interfering with cancer cell growth and requires careful monitoring by your healthcare provider during treatment.
Is MERCAPTOPURINE a controlled substance?
MERCAPTOPURINE is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA.
What is the generic name for MERCAPTOPURINE?
The generic name for MERCAPTOPURINE is MERCAPTOPURINE. There are 4 other brand versions of MERCAPTOPURINE.
What is the NDC code for MERCAPTOPURINE 20 mg/mL?
The NDC (National Drug Code) for MERCAPTOPURINE 20 mg/mL is 62484-1020, listed by Nova Laboratories, Ltd.