title: Oral mercaptopurine in childhood leukemia: influence of food intake on bioavailability.
abstract: Plasma concentrations of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ten children (nine with acute lymphatic leukemia) were studied on 2 consecutive days after oral intake of 6-MP. On one day the drug was administered in the fasting state and on the other (in random order) together with breakfast. The peak plasma concentrations of 6-MP after the dose intake with breakfast in percent of that in the fasting state (meal in % of fasting for each individual) varied between 33 and 181% (mean 111), and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve varied between 47 and 186% (mean 103). Thus, there were considerable variations among patients, but, for the group as a whole, there were no statistically significant differences between the two experimental conditions. This study cannot therefore form the basis for a recommendation as to whether 6-MP should be administered on an empty stomach or together with food.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Uppsala University, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lönnerholm
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kreuger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Myrdal
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D015122:Mercaptopurine