What are the side effects of Mercaptopurine and Depakote in children?
• Q: My son takes both Mercaptopurine and Depakote (Crohn’s and epilepsy). He has had a decrease of appetite. What side effects can these drugs cause together? • A: Mercaptopurine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cells. It is typically used to treat leukemia and lymphoma, usually in combination with other cancer medications. However, mercaptopurine can also be used to treat diseases of the digestive tract, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Depakote (divalproex sodium) affects chemicals in the body that may be involved in causing seizures. It is used to treat various types of seizure disorders, either alone or in combination with other seizure medications. A search of the prescribing information for mercaptopurine and a drug database did not reveal a documented drug interaction between these two medications. Loss of appetite can be a common side effect of mercaptopurine, along with nausea and vomiting. According to the prescribing information for m
