Mercaptopurine side effects - is this normal?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi all - I'm 19 years old and got diagnosed with UC about a year ago. My doctor prescribed me 3.75 ml per day of mercaptopurine back in November (2 months ago) and it's done wonders for my UC symptoms, I haven't flared up since. However I've noticed some weird changes in my health and I just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced similiar side effects - weird aches and pains in all areas of my body, getting tired really easily, some difficulty breathing, chest pain and general nausea. My blood tests have all come back fine and when I went to the GP he told me I've got symptoms of a fluey virus like a stuffy nose (due to the immunosuppressant effect) but I still feel a bit weird. I know mercaptopurine is a slow-acting drug so can anyone tell me, if they have experienced similar symptoms, that they go away with time? I'd like to keep using this medication as it seems to be working for me! I'm sure you all understand that UC medications and the original diagnosis has turned me into a bit of a hypochondriac so feel free to tell me I'm being dramatic! Still quite new to this disease and just want a bit of reassurance.

Thanks!

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Grace 

    Sorry to hear I also had uc as was on the same meds along with prednisolone.

    I was feeling the same symptoms but don’t know which one it was due to I was on both for 9 months I wish you all the best with them. 

    Try to come of them if you can as they aren’t good long term x 

  • Posted

    My daughter has just been told she has uc and might need a bag while her bowel heals shes 20

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