Drug interactions
Mercaptopurine + Ocrelizumab
Severity: Moderate
Mercaptopurine and Ocrelizumab: 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
Ocrelizumab depletes B cells and mercaptopurine suppresses lymphocytes generally, so combined use is expected to increase the risk of infection. The effect may persist after either drug is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mercaptopurine and Ocrelizumab 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.
Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology; Ocrelizumab belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression through CD20-mediated B-cell depletion and thiopurine-mediated lymphocyte suppression.
What to do
Monitor for infection and check blood counts. Reassess the need for concomitant immunosuppressants and treat infections promptly.
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 Ocrelizumab
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Anti-thymocyte + Ocrelizumab Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mercaptopurine with Ocrelizumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mercaptopurine and Ocrelizumab 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. Ocrelizumab depletes B cells and mercaptopurine suppresses lymphocytes generally, so combined use is expected to increase the risk of infection. The effect may persist after either drug is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Mercaptopurine and Ocrelizumab?
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 for infection and check blood counts. Reassess the need for concomitant immunosuppressants and treat infections promptly.
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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