Drug interactions
Mercaptopurine + Olaparib
Severity: Moderate
Mercaptopurine and Olaparib: 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 can cause bone marrow suppression, so combined use may deepen and prolong anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This can lead to infections, bleeding and treatment delays.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mercaptopurine and Olaparib 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; Olaparib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive myelotoxicity from PARP inhibition and thiopurine DNA damage.
What to do
Monitor complete blood counts regularly. Interrupt or reduce the dose of either drug if significant cytopenias develop.
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 Olaparib
- Amiodarone + Olaparib Major
- Amobarbital + Olaparib Major
- Apalutamide + Olaparib Major
- Aprepitant + Olaparib Major
- Azathioprine + Olaparib Major
- Carbamazepine + Olaparib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mercaptopurine with Olaparib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mercaptopurine and Olaparib 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 can cause bone marrow suppression, so combined use may deepen and prolong anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This can lead to infections, bleeding and treatment delays.
How serious is the interaction between Mercaptopurine and Olaparib?
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 complete blood counts regularly. Interrupt or reduce the dose of either drug if significant cytopenias develop.
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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