Drug interactions
Etrasimod + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Major
Etrasimod and Mercaptopurine: major 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
Etrasimod lowers circulating lymphocytes, and mercaptopurine is myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive. Together they may increase the risk of serious infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etrasimod and Mercaptopurine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Etrasimod belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression through S1P receptor modulation and purine antimetabolite effects.
What to do
Avoid combining where possible and monitor blood counts and for signs of infection if unavoidable. Consider the prolonged lymphocyte effects after etrasimod is stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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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 Etrasimod
- Abatacept + Etrasimod Major
- Amiodarone + Etrasimod Major
- Anagrelide + Etrasimod Major
- Anakinra + Etrasimod Major
- Anti-thymocyte + Etrasimod Major
- Asenapine + Etrasimod Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Etrasimod with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Etrasimod and Mercaptopurine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Etrasimod lowers circulating lymphocytes, and mercaptopurine is myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive. Together they may increase the risk of serious infection.
How serious is the interaction between Etrasimod and Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining where possible and monitor blood counts and for signs of infection if unavoidable. Consider the prolonged lymphocyte effects after etrasimod is stopped.
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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