thioguanine Health Article

Generic name(s):

thioguanine

Brand name(s):

What is the most important information I should know about thioguanine?

Thioguanine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of thioguanine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or sore throat); liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, nausea); severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or sores in the mouth; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with thioguanine.

What is thioguanine?

Thioguanine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Thioguanine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Thioguanine is used to treat blood cancer (acute non-lymphocytic leukemia).

Thioguanine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking thioguanine?

Before taking thioguanine, tell your doctor if you have

• thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency (an enzyme deficiency that may be detected by blood tests);

• liver problems;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or

• bone marrow problems.

You may not be able to take thioguanine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Thioguanine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that thioguanine is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take thioguanine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is unknown whether thioguanine passes into breast milk. Do not take thioguanine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take thioguanine?

Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with thioguanine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with thioguanine to monitor progress and side effects.

Store thioguanine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of thioguanine.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of thioguanine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a thioguanine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking thioguanine?

Thioguanine can lower the activity of the immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with thioguanine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.