Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin 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
Both drugs suppress the immune system, so combined use raises the risk of infection and myelosuppression. Combined therapy is common in practice, particularly in transplantation and inflammatory bowel disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin 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.
Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous; Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression through different pathways.
What to do
Monitor full blood counts and liver tests regularly and watch for infection. Adjust mercaptopurine dose for leukopenia.
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 Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin 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. Both drugs suppress the immune system, so combined use raises the risk of infection and myelosuppression. Combined therapy is common in practice, particularly in transplantation and inflammatory bowel disease.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin 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: Monitor full blood counts and liver tests regularly and watch for infection. Adjust mercaptopurine dose for leukopenia.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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