Purixan

Purixan is used to treat acute lymphoblastic or lymphocytic leukemia. This medicine is sometimes given along with other cancer medications.

Purixan may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may sometimes change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Be careful when handling Purixan tablets or oral suspension. Purixan may be harmful if it gets in your eyes or on your skin. If this happens, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Seek medical attention if you have redness, itching, or swelling even after rinsing off the medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of any unused medicine you no longer need.

Purixan can increase your risk of bleeding, infection, or liver problems. You will need frequent medical tests. Your next dose may be delayed based on the results.

Purixan can affect your kidneys. Drink plenty of liquids to keep your kidneys working properly.

You may be given other medication to help prevent serious side effects on your kidneys. Keep using this medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Store Purixan at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not use Purixan if you have ever used Purixan or thioguanine and they did not work for your condition.

Some people using Purixan have developed a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma (cancer). This condition affects the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and it can be fatal.

Call your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of lymphoma, such as: fever, night sweats, tiredness, stomach bloating, feeling full, easy bruising or bleeding, or weight loss.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Purixan or thioguanine, or if you have ever used this medicine or thioguanine and they were not effective for your condition.

Purixan may cause a rare type of lymphoma (cancer) in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow that can be fatal. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Using Purixan may also increase your risk of developing other types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• an inherited condition that prevents your body from producing enough of the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT);
• any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection; or
• ulcerative colitis (treated with mesalamine, sulfasalazine, or similar medicines).

Purixan may harm an unborn baby, especially when used during the first trimester. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while taking Purixan.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Purixan may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• liver problems--loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upper stomach pain, swelling in your midsection, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• symptoms of lymphoma--fever, night sweats, tiredness, stomach bloating, feeling full, weight loss.

Common side effects of Purixan may include:

• low blood cell counts;
• bruising or bleeding;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• diarrhea;
• rash, changes in skin color;
• hair loss; or
• general ill feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Early signs of an overdose may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Later signs may include fever or flu-like symptoms.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Purixan. The vaccine may not work properly and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of infection.

Purixan can harm your liver, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, tuberculosis, depression, birth control, hormone replacement, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures, pain, or arthritis (including Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• allopurinol;
• olsalazine, mesalazine, sulfasalazine or similar medicines;
• sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; or
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Purixan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.