Thioguanine

Thioguanine is a purine analog used in the treatment of blood cancer. It works by preventing and stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.

Thioguanine should be taken on an empty stomach, but try to have it at the same time every day to get the most benefits. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

The most common side effects of this medicine include bone marrow failures, stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), enlarged liver, increased bilirubin in the blood, increased liver enzymes, and increased uric acid level in urine. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels. In some cases, it makes you sensitive towards sunlight, take caution while stepping out.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

• Blood cancer

Blood cancer
Blood cancer, also called leukemia, is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, that decreases the body's ability to fight infection. Thioguanine kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is an effective medicine but you should discuss the side effects and benefits of this medicine with your doctor. Let your doctor know if any of the side effects bothers you.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Lanvis

• Bone marrow failure
• Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
• Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
• Increased bilirubin in the blood
• Increased liver enzymes
• Increased uric acid level in urine

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Thioguanine is to be taken empty stomach.

Thioguanine interferes with the growth of DNA and RNA of the cancer cells by substituting their building blocks. It prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

• Thioguanine is used for the treatment of cancer of the blood.
• Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
• Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
• It may make you more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid too much sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and use a sunscreen
• Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine.
• Your doctor may get regular blood and urine tests done to monitor your blood cells, kidney and liver function during treatment with this medicine.
• Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, rash or severe diarrhea.

Tioguanine. Dublin, Ireland: Aspen; 1997 [revised 15 Nov. 2017]. [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from:

Tioguanine. Greenville, North Carolina: DSM Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

U.S. National Library of Medicine. Tioguanine. [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: