Drug interactions
Canakinumab + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Moderate
Canakinumab and Mercaptopurine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Canakinumab blocks interleukin-1 beta and mercaptopurine suppresses lymphocyte function, so together they may increase susceptibility to infection. Serious infections have been reported with canakinumab alone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Canakinumab and Mercaptopurine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Canakinumab belongs to Miscellaneous; Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression from IL-1 beta neutralization and purine antimetabolite activity.
What to do
Screen for latent tuberculosis before starting and monitor for signs of infection. Interrupt canakinumab if a serious infection develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Mercaptopurine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Febuxostat + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Mercaptopurine + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Canakinumab
- Adalimumab + Canakinumab Major
- Anakinra + Canakinumab Major
- Baricitinib + Canakinumab Major
- Basiliximab + Canakinumab Major
- Canakinumab + Etanercept Major
- Canakinumab + Golimumab Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Canakinumab with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Canakinumab and Mercaptopurine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Canakinumab blocks interleukin-1 beta and mercaptopurine suppresses lymphocyte function, so together they may increase susceptibility to infection. Serious infections have been reported with canakinumab alone.
How serious is the interaction between Canakinumab and Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Screen for latent tuberculosis before starting and monitor for signs of infection. Interrupt canakinumab if a serious infection develops.
What other medicines interact with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mercaptopurine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Azathioprine, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Mercaptopurine page.
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