Drug interactions
Golimumab + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Major
Golimumab 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
Concurrent use of a TNF blocker and a thiopurine adds to immunosuppression and raises the risk of serious infection. Rare hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma has been described with TNF blockers combined with thiopurines.
What this interaction means in plain words
Golimumab 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.
Golimumab belongs to Musculoskeletal; Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression from TNF-alpha blockade and thiopurine-mediated lymphocyte suppression.
What to do
Monitor closely for infection and blood count changes, and screen for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before therapy. Review ongoing need for combination treatment regularly.
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 Golimumab
- Bcg vaccine live + Golimumab Contraindicated
- Etanercept + Golimumab Contraindicated
- Golimumab + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Golimumab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Golimumab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Golimumab + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Golimumab with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Golimumab 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. Concurrent use of a TNF blocker and a thiopurine adds to immunosuppression and raises the risk of serious infection. Rare hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma has been described with TNF blockers combined with thiopurines.
How serious is the interaction between Golimumab 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: Monitor closely for infection and blood count changes, and screen for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before therapy. Review ongoing need for combination treatment regularly.
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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