(thye oh GWAH neen)
Acute myeloid leukemia: Treatment (remission induction and consolidation) of acute myeloid (nonlymphocytic) leukemia (AML)
Limitations of use: The use of thioguanine for AML maintenance therapy or other similar long-term continuous treatments is not recommended due to the high risk of hepatotoxicity.
Prior resistance to thioguanine (or mercaptopurine)
Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Hypersensitivity to thioguanine or any component of the formulation
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Oral: 2 mg/kg once daily for 4 weeks; if no clinical improvement after 4 weeks and ANC and platelet counts are not depressed, may increase dose to 3 mg/kg once daily with careful monitoring.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (off-label use): Oral: Late intensification treatment phase: 60 mg/m2 once daily on days 29 to 42 (in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine, dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide and cytarabine) (Larson 1995; Larson 1998)
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Oral: 2 mg/kg once daily for 4 weeks; if no clinical improvement after 4 weeks and ANC and platelet counts are not depressed, may increase dose to 3 mg/kg once daily with careful monitoring.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (off-label use): Oral:
Children ≥1 year and Adolescents: Delayed intensification treatment phase: 60 mg/m2/day for 14 days on days 28 to 41 (in combination with vincristine, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, asparaginase, and methotrexate) (Lange 2002; Nachman 1998)
Adolescents ≥15 years: Late intensification treatment phase: 60 mg/m2 once daily on days 29 to 42 (in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine, dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, and cytarabine) (Larson 1995; Larson 1998)
Adults: There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer 's labeling.
Children: No dosage adjustment required (Aronoff 2007).
Hepatic impairment prior to treatment:
US labeling: There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer 's labeling.
Canadian labeling: A reduced dose should be considered.
Hepatotoxicity during treatment: Deterioration in transaminases, alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin, toxic hepatitis, biliary stasis, clinical jaundice, evidence of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (veno-occlusive disease), or evidence of portal hypertension: Discontinue treatment.
Administer orally; total daily dose can be given at one time. Hazardous agent; use appropriate precautions for handling and disposal (NIOSH 2014 [group 1]). NIOSH recommends single gloving for administration of an intact tablet. If it is necessary to manipulate the tablets (eg, to prepare an oral suspension), it is recommended to double glove, wear a protective gown, and prepare in a controlled device (NIOSH 2014).
Store at 15 � �C to 25 � �C (59 � �F to 77 � �F). Protect from moisture.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet, Oral:
Tabloid: 40 mg
Hazardous agent: Use appropriate precautions for handling and disposal (NIOSH 2014 [group 1]). When manipulating tablets, NIOSH recommends double gloving, a protective gown, and preparation in a controlled device; if not prepared in a controlled device, respiratory and eye protection as well as ventilated engineering controls are recommended (NIOSH 2014).
A 20 mg/mL oral suspension may be made with tablets, methylcellulose 1%, and simple syrup NF. Crush fifteen 40 mg tablets in a mortar and reduce to a fine powder. Add 10 mL methylcellulose 1% in incremental proportions and mix to a uniform paste. Transfer to a graduated cylinder, rinse mortar with simple syrup, and add quantity of simple syrup sufficient to make 30 mL. Label shake well" and "refrigerate". Stable for 84 days refrigerated (preferred) or at room temperature.
Dressman JB and Poust RI, "Stability of Allopurinol and Five Antineoplastics in Suspension, " � Am J Hosp Pharm, 1983, 40(4):616-8.[PMID: 6846371]Nahata MC, Pai VB, and Hipple TF, Pediatric Drug Formulations, 5th ed, Cincinnati, OH: Harvey Whitney Books Co, 2004.5-ASA Derivatives: May decrease the metabolism of Thiopurine Analogs. Monitor therapy
BCG (Intravesical): Immunosuppressants may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG (Intravesical). Avoid combination
BCG (Intravesical): Myelosuppressive Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG (Intravesical). Avoid combination
CloZAPine: Myelosuppressive Agents may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CloZAPine. Specifically, the risk for neutropenia may be increased. Monitor therapy
Coccidioides immitis Skin Test: Immunosuppressants may diminish the diagnostic effect of Coccidioides immitis Skin Test. Monitor therapy
Deferiprone: Myelosuppressive Agents may enhance the neutropenic effect of Deferiprone. Avoid combination
Denosumab: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Immunosuppressants. Specifically, the risk for serious infections may be increased. Monitor therapy
Dipyrone: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Myelosuppressive Agents. Specifically, the risk for agranulocytosis and pancytopenia may be increased Avoid combination
Echinacea: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Immunosuppressants. Consider therapy modification
Fingolimod: Immunosuppressants may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Fingolimod. Management: Avoid the concomitant use of fingolimod and other immunosuppressants when possible. If combined, monitor patients closely for additive immunosuppressant effects (eg, infections). Consider therapy modification
Leflunomide: Immunosuppressants may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Leflunomide. Specifically, the risk for hematologic toxicity such as pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, and/or thrombocytopenia may be increased. Management: Consider not using a leflunomide loading dose in patients receiving other immunosuppressants. Patients receiving both leflunomide and another immunosuppressant should be monitored for bone marrow suppression at least monthly. Consider therapy modification
Lenograstim: Antineoplastic Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lenograstim. Consider therapy modification
Natalizumab: Immunosuppressants may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Natalizumab. Specifically, the risk of concurrent infection may be increased. Avoid combination
Nivolumab: Immunosuppressants may diminish the therapeutic effect of Nivolumab. Consider therapy modification
Pimecrolimus: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Immunosuppressants. Avoid combination
Roflumilast: May enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Immunosuppressants. Consider therapy modification
Sipuleucel-T: Immunosuppressants may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sipuleucel-T. Monitor therapy
Tacrolimus (Topical): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Immunosuppressants. Avoid combination
Tofacitinib: Immunosuppressants may enhance the immunosuppressive effect of Tofacitinib. Management: Concurrent use with antirheumatic doses of methotrexate or nonbiologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is permitted, and this warning seems particularly focused on more potent immunosuppressants. Avoid combination
Trastuzumab: May enhance the neutropenic effect of Immunosuppressants. Monitor therapy
Vaccines (Inactivated): Immunosuppressants may diminish the therapeutic effect of Vaccines (Inactivated). Management: Vaccine efficacy may be reduced. Complete all age-appropriate vaccinations at least 2 weeks prior to starting an immunosuppressant. If vaccinated during immunosuppressant therapy, revaccinate at least 3 months after immunosuppressant discontinuation. Consider therapy modification
Vaccines (Live): Immunosuppressants may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Vaccines (Live). Immunosuppressants may diminish the therapeutic effect of Vaccines (Live). Management: Avoid use of live organism vaccines with immunosuppressants; live-attenuated vaccines should not be given for at least 3 months after immunosuppressants. Avoid combination
CBC with differential and platelet count (frequently); liver function tests (weekly when beginning therapy then monthly, more frequently in patients with liver disease or concurrent hepatotoxic drugs); serum uric acid; some laboratories offer testing for TPMT deficiency
Monitor for signs/symptoms of hepatotoxicity, portal hypertension (splenomegaly, esophageal varices, thrombocytopenia), or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (veno-occlusive disease; fluid retention, ascites, hepatomegaly with tenderness, or hyperbilirubinemia); monitor for tumor lysis syndrome
Frequency not defined.
Endocrine & metabolic: Fluid retention, hyperuricemia (common)
Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, intestinal necrosis, intestinal perforation, nausea, splenomegaly, stomatitis, vomiting, weight gain
Hematologic: Anemia (may be delayed), bleeding, granulocytopenia, leukopenia (common; may be delayed), marrow hypoplasia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia (common; may be delayed)
Hepatic: Ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic necrosis (centrilobular), hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS; veno-occlusive disease), hepatitis, hepatomegaly [tender], hepatoportal sclerosis, hepatotoxicity, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, LFTs increased, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, peliosis hepatitis, periportal fibrosis, portal hypertension
Miscellaneous: Infection
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Bone marrow suppression: Myelosuppression (anemia, leukopenia, and/or thrombocytopenia) is a common dose-related toxicity (may be delayed); monitor for infection (due to leukopenia) or bleeding (due to thrombocytopenia); withhold treatment with abnormally significant drop in blood counts. Patients with genetic enzyme deficiency of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) or who are receiving drugs which inhibit this enzyme (mesalazine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine) may be highly sensitive to myelosuppressive effects and may require substantial dose reductions.
- Hepatotoxicity: Long-term continuous therapy or maintenance treatment is associated with a high risk for hepatotoxicity, hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS; formerly called veno-occlusive disease [VOD]), or portal hypertension. Monitor liver function carefully for liver toxicity and discontinue in patients with evidence of hepatotoxicity, hepatic SOS (eg, hyperbilirubinemia, hepatomegaly [tender], and weight gain due to ascites and fluid retention) or portal hypertension (eg, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, esophageal varices). Hepatotoxicity with or without transaminase elevations may occur. Pathologic findings of hepatotoxicity include hepatoportal sclerosis, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, peliosis hepatitis, and periportal fibrosis. Hepatotoxicity may be more prevalent in male patients. Long-term/maintenance treatment with thioguanine is not recommended. Advise patients to avoid alcohol; may increase the risk for hepatotoxicity.
- Secondary malignancies: Thioguanine is potentially carcinogenic.
- Tumor lysis syndrome: Hyperuricemia occurs commonly with treatment; institute adequate hydration and prophylactic allopurinol.
Disease-related concerns:
- Thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency: Patients with genetic enzyme deficiency of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) may be sensitive to myelosuppressive effects. May require substantial dose reductions.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
- Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.
Special handling:
- Hazardous agent: Use appropriate precautions for handling and disposal (NIOSH 2014 [group 1]).
Other warnings/precautions:
- Appropriate use: Not recommended for maintenance therapy or long term continuous treatment due to toxicities.
- Cross resistance: Cross resistance with mercaptopurine generally occurs.
- Vaccines: Avoid vaccination with live vaccines during treatment.
D
Adverse effects have been observed in animal reproduction studies. May cause fetal harm if administered during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment.
Purine analog that is incorporated into DNA and RNA resulting in the blockage of synthesis and metabolism of purine nucleotides
~30% (range: 14% to 46%; highly variable)
Does not reach therapeutic concentrations in the CSF
Hepatic; rapidly and extensively via thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) to 2-amino-6-methylthioguanine (MTG; active) and inactive compounds
Urine, primarily as metabolites
Serum: Within 8 hours; predominantly metabolite(s)
Terminal: 5 to 9 hours
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience lack of appetite. Have patient report immediately to prescriber signs of infection, signs of liver problems (dark urine, feeling tired, lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, light-colored stools, vomiting, or yellow skin or eyes), severe diarrhea, severe nausea, severe vomiting, severe mouth sores, bruising, bleeding, severe loss of strength and energy, severe edema, excessive weight gain, or signs of tumor lysis syndrome (fast heartbeat or abnormal heartbeat; any passing out; trouble passing urine; muscle weakness or cramps; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or lack of appetite; or feeling sluggish) (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for health care professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience, and judgment in diagnosing, treating, and advising patients.