Mercaptopurine vs Methotrexate
 | Mercaptopurine |  | Methotrexate |  |
| This medication is used with other drugs to treat a certain type of cancer (acute lymphocytic leukemia). Mercaptopurine belongs to a class of drugs known as purine antagonists. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Talk to the doctor about the risks and benefits of mercaptopurine, especially when used in children and young adults. | Methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer or to control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. This medication works by interfering with cell growth and by suppressing the immune system. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with more aggressive therapy such as methotrexate helps to reduce further joint damage and to preserve joint function. | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Mercaptopurine review Used mercaptopurine for 3 years. Best 3 years of the last awful 27 years I have had. However, I am now going through chemo for non hodgekins lymphoma, a side effect of mercaptopurine. Wish I had not taken the drug now. I have had Crohns Colitis for over 30 years (initially diagnosed as ulcerative colitis, but most recent GI doctor with colonoscopy info and Prometheus test believes is is Crohns - but is uncertain. The traditional treatments did not work (all made me substantially worse, except for Prednisone which you cannot take long term). Dr put me on Mercaptopurine 10 years ago as a "last resort"and I have been completely well since (it also completely stopped my mild asthma). I have no side effects, but I have blood tests every 3 to 6 months to make sure everything is ok. | Add Methotrexate review have not really noticed a big change in pain level or fatigue The only concern I have is my hair is thinning. I have stopped the methotrexate for now. the medicine is not relieving my syptoms and causing me to loss my hair. | |||
