Thioguanine



Tabloid®







Thioguanine

(thye oh GWAH neen)

U.S. Brand Names
Tabloid®
Canadian Brand Names
Lanvis®
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Antimetabolite (Purine Antagonist)
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine is very strong. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that his/her body needs. Your child will need weekly blood work to watch for side effects. Tell healthcare provider right away about any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling tired.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to thioguanine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat specific types of leukemias and bone marrow disorders.
How does it work?
  • Thioguanine injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • Give this medicine at a similar time of day
  • Give this medicine on an empty stomach. Give 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid every day unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take missed dose as soon as possible
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using over the counter medications,vitamins, natural products or herbals.
  • Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this medicine.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • If you have a thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Not hungry
  • Mouth irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help
  • Anemia.
  • Liver damage can rarely occur.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Mouth sores
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Swelling
  • Weight gain
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature
  • Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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