6-MP

Medical abbreviation · Drug

6-MP
Stands for6-Mercaptopurine
CategoriesMedical

6-MP stands for 6-Mercaptopurine, a drug abbreviation.

Oral thiopurine drug used for long-term maintenance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to maintain remission in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is the active metabolite of azathioprine.

Example: 6-MP 75 mg/m2 nightly; TPMT and NUDT15 genotype normal.

Usage notes

Patients with low TPMT or NUDT15 enzyme activity develop severe bone marrow suppression at standard doses, so testing guides the starting dose. Allopurinol blocks its breakdown, requiring a large dose reduction. ISMP notes that PTU (propylthiouracil) has been mistaken for mercaptopurine. Brand name Purixan for the suspension.

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.