Thioguanine (Oral Route)

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Side Effects

Along with their needed effects, medicines like thioguanine can sometimes cause unwanted effects such as blood problems and other side effects. These and others are described below. Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in urine or stools
• Cough or hoarseness
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Joint pain
• Swelling of feet or lower legs
• Unsteadiness when walking

• Sores in mouth and on lips
• Yellow eyes or skin

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Bloated abdomen
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Cough or hoarseness
• Coughing up blood
• Dark urine
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Hives
• Itching
• Light-colored stools
• Loss of appetite
• Lower back or side pain
• Nausea
• Pain and fullness in right upper abdomen
• Pale skin
• Purple- or red-colored spots on body or inside the mouth or nose
• Rash
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Swollen glands
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting
• Vomiting of blood
• Weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash or itching

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in urine or stools
• Cough or hoarseness
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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