Thioguanine (Thioguanine)

Usual dose:

Your doctor will tell you the amount of LANVIS you need to take and how frequently. The usual initial dose is approximately 2 mg/kg body weight/day, orally. The dosage may be cautiously increased to 3 mg/kg/day after 4 weeks.

Overdose:

In the event you accidentally take more doses than prescribes immediately contact your doctor or hospital emergency department or the nearest poison control centre.

You may experience the following while taking LANVIS.

• Low white blood cells. This means that you are at greater risk of having an infection. Wash your hands often, keep your mouth and skin clean and healthy, avoid people who are sick, call your doctor or nurse if you have a fever or other flu-like symptoms.
• Low red blood cells. This means that you may feel tired or look pale. Rest if you need to. Talk to your doctor or nurse if it gets worse.
• Low platelets. These are tiny pieces of cells that help your blood to clot after you have an injury. When the platelets count is low you may be more likely to bleed or bruise abnormally. Try not to bump into things or cut yourself. Blow your nose gently. Avoid getting constipated. Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush. Avoid products containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Call your doctor immediately if you notice blood in your urine, black tarry stools, lots of bruising, or tiny red dots on your skin.
• Increase in liver enzymes and/or bilirubin. This may cause your skin to look yellow. Call your doctor if you notice this.
• Increase in uric acid. This may cause symptoms like gout, including joint pain.
• Loss of appetite. Try to eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
• Nausea and vomiting. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Eat small meals. Drink fluids.
• Swelling of mouth and throat. Call your doctor.

If you feel unwell or have any symptoms that you do not understand, contact your doctor immediately.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking LANVIS, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

LANVIS is a potent drug and should be used only by physicians experienced with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs.

LANVIS is not recommended for maintenance therapy or similar long term continuous treatments.

BEFORE you use LANVIS talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

• you have a history of hypersensitivity (an allergic reaction) to any ingredient in LANVIS.
• you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
• you are breastfeeding a baby.
• you have been vaccinated, or are planning to be vaccinated with a live vaccine.
• the results of your blood test show that you are not able to receive LANVIS, your doctor will tell you.
• you have kidney disease.
• you have liver problems.

LANVIS is not recommended for maintenance therapy or long term continuous treatment.

It is important that your doctor know about all your medication so that you get the best possible treatment. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking including those you have bought yourself.

There is usually complete cross-resistance between PURINETHOL (mercaptopurine) and LANVIS.

Use aminosalicylate derivatives (antibacterial drugs), e.g. olsalazine, mesalazine or sulphasalazine with caution if you are receiving these concurrently with LANVIS.

If you have a weak immune system, vaccination with live viral vaccines is not recommended.