Mercaptopurine User Reviews & Ratings

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2019

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "My son was on mercaptopurine at age 14 and had a reaction so severe he ended up in the hospital for 8 days. A blood vessel behind his eye broke, so his vision was impaired. He had heart palpitations and trouble breathing. His platelets were dangerously low. He had to have 3 blood transfusions. We almost lost him. I know people who have been on this med for years with no problems. I am just sharing this to let others know to be extremely careful, and if something doesn't seem right, contact your doctor immediately! There are no stupid questions, seriously. Always better to be safe than sorry."

• vld...
• February 6, 2013

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been on this medication for maintenance for at least 20 years. I have not had a bleeding episode since I started. Also, I have experienced no side effects. I don't know how others would tolerate it, but for me it really has worked. I have had Crohn's disease for over 40 years."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2011

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "I tried it for two days and was so sick I could not function. Symptoms included severe dizziness, feeling of faintness, fatigue, unfocused, could not see straight, bloated upset stomach, diarrhea. Now they want me to try a lower dose and see if I get used to it."

• Kie...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 3, 2013

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been on this medication for 5 years since a bowel resection and have not had any pain nor side effects. The doctor monitors my blood counts every 3 months for low platelets, but all has been good. I"

• Jo2...
• February 17, 2017

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "This medicine will make you feel like you've been hit by a car every day, exhausted, plus your liver and pancreas take a massive hit. I had constant pain and all my Crohn's complaints returned. I was fine on prednisone and Entocort, but my doctor wanted to make it even better. Please pay EXTREME CAUTION using this medicine before ending up in the hospital. I'm not saying this medicine is bad, but for one person, it seems extremely well or extremely bad, in my case, the worst time I've ever been through. Pay attention!"

• tin...
• August 6, 2017

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "This drug is a nightmare!!! Total fatigue with breathlessness, arm weakness and numbness, nausea, light-headedness. Now have developed tinnitus, which is a constant pulsation through ears and head. My white blood cells have dropped dangerously low, and my red blood cells are really poor. I am naturally now off the drug but don't know how long till I get back to health. ONLY GO ON THIS DRUG AS A LAST RESORT>"

• Jet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "This med put me in remission after my first terrible flare (while weaning off prednisone). It has kept me in remission since (7 years), although I do have some mini flares from time to time, suggesting that there is probably still some inflammation in my colon. The higher dose did not agree with my blood work, so I remain on a moderate dose. I also take Lialda for my left-sided UC and VSL3 probiotic. 6mp has given me my life back. I go for blood work often (must be done while on this med) monitoring blood counts, liver function, etc. So far, my body responds very well to this med, with no side effects. From what I’ve been told, you will know early on whether 6mp is right for you. It has a very low side effect profile (especially compared with biologics) and has been around for a long time (since about 1957), and long-term use stats look good."

• Bit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2014

Purinethol (mercaptopurine) for Autoimmune Hepatitis "On azathioprine for 6 months, but it suppressed my bone marrow, and my platelet levels fell dangerously low. The azathioprine dose was reduced, but my liver readings shot up. Was put on mercaptopurine 2 months ago, and since then, all levels have returned to normal."

• Jnd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2016

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I've been using this drug for just over a month, and everything seems like it's going downhill. This drug will make me extremely tired but also keep me awake. It's too inconsistent for my body. It should be helping with bodily functions and minimizing pain, but it does quite the opposite. Some days my body can't move very fast because of the pain. And if it's not the pain, it's fatigue all day. I've had the same problem with other drugs like this. There has to be a way to help without all of the drugs or surgeries."

• COL...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 5, 2019

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been on mercaptopurine since 2010. I was put on this medicine after I was first diagnosed with Crohn's and had a bowel resection. I have taken this medicine for 9 years without any problems. I am now at a point where it is no longer working, and they are putting me on a new prescription."

• POC...
• August 3, 2014

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis in Nov of 2013. I was prescribed Imuran as well as prednisone. I was unable to take the Imuran due to the side effect of violent vomiting. I was prescribed mercaptopurine, and within 1 week, became stable and have improved weekly. Seven months later, I now take only the mercaptopurine, and my enzymes have stayed stabilized."

• Fra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2014

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Mercaptopurine has certainly helped me with my ulcerative colitis, but the side effects of a lowered immune system have been a debilitating blow to me. I catch every influenza infection that comes along, to the point that I am now taking asthmatic sprays to help me with my breathing and coughing. I have been getting bad mouth infections, and generally, my immune resistance has plummeted. I also have been getting heart palpitations and am now on the medicine Betaloc to try and rectify this problem. I need to tell you that before taking mercaptopurine, I hardly ever got a cold or the flu. I am in my sixties, I am employed, lead a busy life, but I also know that the side effects of taking mercaptopurine have given me other negative health issues."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2011

For Crohn's Disease, Active "This medicine keeps me as if I didn't have Crohn's at all, it has been a life changer. I am just a little concerned about the birth issues. (I'm a male.) I think I might get off the medicine temporarily if there's a chance to prevent any problems with my partner's pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2017

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I've been on this medicine for 2 months. I feel, most days, like I've been in a car accident. The pain is very difficult to handle. I ache like I have the flu. Thinking about not taking it and taking my chances. What could be worse?"

• Eda...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 12, 2020

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I've been on 100 mg mercaptopurine per day for a good few years for the maintenance of Crohn's with zero noticeable side effects. I don't feel like my immune system has weakened either. I am, however, only in my twenties, and I surmise I will start noticing problems in the future."

• mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2013

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been on this medicine for a week. I have no energy, and I only sleep about 4 hours a night. I can fall asleep but can't stay asleep. I think I am going to ask my doctor to switch me to something else. I can't focus very well with this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2021

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm using this medicine for 3 days now and since 2 nights I haven t been able to sleep properly. And I also have nausea till 11 am the next day because I take my medication at dinner time. For now this is my last resort before they put me on biomedicine. I hope I feel better and less tired soon."

• jas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2023

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Was on 50 mg maintenance after being diagnosed and hospitalized in 2003. Worked great for almost 20 years with no side effects. Recently, the drug has stopped being effective as Crohn's has progressed. Doctor said this can happen in the 40s-50s but they are not sure why. Failed 3 biologics in a year, so probably going to try Rinvoq."

• Mbs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2012

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "Only been using this for 3 weeks. Started mercaptopurine on Aug 30th at 25 mgs daily for 2 weeks. Went up to 50 mgs daily on Sep 14th. I take it at bedtime. Some body aches, dizziness, abdominal bloating. Blood work every 2 weeks. Will rate this medicine again in a couple of weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "It seems to 'control' the UC symptoms, but it has wreaked havoc with my skin and hair. I have lost so much hair, and what doesn't fall out doesn't grow either. Skin was peppered with little red 'spots' that, when they go away, leave brown spots. I itch. I am nearly 80, have never been on any medication, and I think my body 'knows' how foreign this is."

• Amy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 24, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Started 6mp (mercaptopurine) after spending almost 2 years on prednisone for my chronic ulcerative colitis . The first year was the toughest, chronic nausea but so worth it in the end. Been healthy and in remission for 14 years. Unfortunate, was taking 75mg but it’s now showing that my liver isn’t properly metabolizing the drug even tho my liver enzymes are normal!!! It’s unreal that now I’m taking 50mg and showing signs of slowly working toward a flare up. Chronic belly pain. I would stay on this forever if I can. Petrified to try anything else. Would recommend this drug to anyone with moderate to severe UC!! I also have pancolitis so that means my entire colon is bad. And this drug works!!"

• des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

For Crohn's Disease, Active "This medication attacked my joints. It would go from my neck one day and to my elbow the next day and to my wrists and fingers another day. It was so painful and it took about 18 months for the pain I was experiencing to subside but left me with arthritis in my wrist and thumb. I did call my GI Dr. and told him I was experiencing excruciating pain. He told me to keep taking the medication. I took it for over a month and decided the Dr. didn't care about me so I stopped taking it. Worst experience with a Dr. and drug reaction I've ever had in my 70 years on earth. This was in Sept of 2010."

• Bre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 20, 2020

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I’ve been on Mercaptopurine (50mg 4 days a week, 25mg the other 3) with 100mg Allopurinol for almost 15 years. I’m asymptomatic and always have been. Crohns not detectable in blood work, zero pain, can eat anything and I run ultra marathons (lucky I know). Have had gasterctomy and months in hospital and don’t want that again. I’m scoped every 2 years and I have no crohns in me. Have zero side effects. They tried me on Aziothroprine(?) but it made me vomit so much I was hospitalised. It’s old-school, hard-core but works well for me."

• sid...
• June 12, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Developed UC at 51 years old. Hospitalized. IV steroids 6 hourly 10 days, prescribed on Mesalazine while reducing prednisone. I had to stop Mesalazine. Started on Aza and made me very ill, vomiting. Swapped to 6mercaptopurine (6MP) and tolerated this well. Joints ached but built up stamina again and ok. 2 months in and thumbs and index fingers started going numb. Advised I have to stop because of peripheral neuropathy from 6MP. Awaiting next course of action"

• Jod...
• March 31, 2020

For Crohn's Disease, Active "In my opinion, I have had Crohn’s far longer but was only officially diagnosed last year. My treatment started with Prednisone for a few months before tapering it down and adding 6-Mercaptopurine (6MP) with 10mg of prednisone. After being on it for less than a month I had a terrible flare up and ended up in the hospital. While there they did not give me the 6MP and I was dealing with horrible acid reflux. After discharge I did not resume the med until seeing my Dr. 3 days later. With his approval I started taking the med again and the next night I developed excruciating pain, again all acid. I had trouble sleeping because of this. After about 6 days I had to go to the ER and I was diagnosed with medical induced pancreatitis. It was due to the 6MP and was ordered to stop it immediately. I did and 5 days later I am still not feeling great but hoping each day gets better. Looking to start Stelera."