Mercaptopurine 50 mg Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Tablets / Oral suspension

Available Strengths: 50 mg

Reference Brands: Purinethol (USA), Purixan (USA)

Category: Oncology Cancer Care

Mercaptopurine belongs to a class of medications called purine-antimetabolites. It works by interfering with the DNA and RNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, thereby preventing replication and leading to death of abnormal cells. It is used primarily in the treatment of certain blood cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Product Description:

Mercaptopurine is a purine antimetabolite that masquerades as a natural building block, is converted inside the cell into thioguanine nucleotides, and is then incorporated into DNA where it triggers cell death. Its handling depends heavily on genetics: patients with low activity of the enzymes TPMT or NUDT15 accumulate the active metabolites and suffer life-threatening myelosuppression on standard doses. Testing for these variants before starting is now standard practice in many centres.

Its central role is in the long maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, taken daily for two to three years — a period that contributes as much to cure as the intensive phases do. It is also used in inflammatory bowel disease. Dose is titrated against the neutrophil count. Hepatotoxicity, including cholestasis and a veno-occlusive picture, requires monitoring. It must not be given with allopurinol at normal doses, which blocks its breakdown and multiplies exposure.

Sourcing notes. Off patent. The oral suspension matters disproportionately: children cannot reliably swallow or accurately split tablets, and a licensed liquid removes a significant dosing error risk. Confirm which presentation is required. Room temperature for tablets; the suspension has a limited shelf life after opening.