Pricing
Prices are indicative MRP and may vary by pharmacy. Trend compares against the last recorded price.
All price changes →Indications & Uses
Leukin is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Mercaptopurine belongs to a class of medicines called purine antagonists. Once inside the body's cells, it is converted into active compounds, including thioinosinic acid. These compounds block several steps that cells need to build nucleic acids, stopping the formation of RNA and DNA.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Crohn's disease
Adults: Start with 1 to 1.5 mg/kg daily. The dose may be increased to 125 mg daily.
Children: Start with 1 to 1.5 mg/kg daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 75 mg daily.
Acute lymphocytic leukaemia
Adults: The usual maintenance dose starts at 1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg daily, taken as a single dose, and is usually given in combination with methotrexate. The dose may vary from person to person depending on response and tolerance. Blood counts should be checked at least once a week. Treatment must be stopped immediately if there is a sharp drop in the white cell count or severe bone marrow depression. Treatment may be restarted slowly and carefully once the white cell count has stayed steady for 2 to 3 days or has begun to rise. The dose should be reduced when used together with allopurinol.
Children: The usual maintenance dose starts at 1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg daily, taken as a single dose, and is usually given in combination with methotrexate. The dose may vary from child to child depending on response and tolerance. Blood counts should be checked at least once a week. Treatment must be stopped immediately if there is a sharp drop in the white cell count or severe bone marrow depression. Treatment may be restarted slowly and carefully once the white cell count has stayed steady for 2 to 3 days or has begun to rise. The dose should be reduced when used together with allopurinol.
Side Effects
Possible side effects include high uric acid levels, bone marrow toxicity and hypoplasia, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, low white blood cell and platelet counts, intestinal ulceration, crystals in the urine with blood in the urine, weakened immunity and interstitial pneumonitis. Skin darkening and hair loss may also occur.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Use with caution in patients with liver or kidney problems; liver function should be checked regularly during treatment. Leukin may cause cancer. Care is also needed in patients with thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency and in those with porphyria.
Contraindications
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Previous resistance to mercaptopurine or thioguanine; severe liver disease; severe bone marrow suppression.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Mercaptopurine belongs to pregnancy category D. This means there is positive evidence of risk to the human foetus. Even so, the benefits of using it in pregnant women may outweigh that risk in some cases, for example when the medicine is needed in a life-threatening situation, or for a serious disease where safer medicines cannot be used or do not work.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Renal Impairment: the dosage of Mercaptopurine may need to be reduced.
Hepatic Impairment: in Crohn's disease, the dosage may need to be reduced. In acute lymphocytic leukemia, the dosage may also need to be reduced.
The dosage has to be adjusted in patients with thiopurine-S-methyl transferase (TPMT) deficiency, to prevent life-threatening myelotoxicity. In homozygous TPMT deficiency, a substantial reduction is required. In heterozygous TPMT deficiency, some patients may need a lower dosage, but most will tolerate the usual dosages.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Leukin 50 mg
What is Leukin 50 mg Tablet?
Leukin 50 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Mercaptopurine. It is made by Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC. It belongs to the Cytotoxic Chemotherapy group of medicines.
What is Leukin used for?
Leukin is used for: Cancer.
What are the side effects of Leukin?
Possible side effects include high uric acid levels, bone marrow toxicity and hypoplasia, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, low white blood cell and platelet counts, intestinal ulceration, crystals in the urine with blood in the urine, weakened immunity and interstitial pneumonitis. Skin darkening and hair loss may also occur.
Can I take Leukin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Mercaptopurine belongs to pregnancy category D. This means there is positive evidence of risk to the human foetus. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Can I take other medicines with Leukin?
Some medicines can interact with Mercaptopurine, for example: Febuxostat, Methotrexate, Dacarbazine, Azathioprine, Allopurinol, Warfarin Sodium. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Leukin is already among the lowest-priced brands of Mercaptopurine at this strength.
Do I need a prescription for Leukin?
Leukin is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.