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GSK / Lanvis

Thioguanine (thye-oh-GWON-een) belongs to the group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It is used to treat some kinds of cancer.

Thioguanine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by thioguanine, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with thioguanine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.

How does it work?
This medicine contains the active ingredient tioguanine (previously spelt thioguanine in the UK). Tioguanine is one of a group of anti-cancer medicines called 'cytotoxic antimetabolites'.

Cancers form when some cells within the body multiply uncontrollably and abnormally. These cells then spread and destroy nearby tissues. Tioguanine acts by slowing this process down. It kills cancer cells by attaching to a chemical within the cell and preventing it from using vital nutrients and other substances necessary for normal activity.

Unfortunately, tioguanine also affects normal, healthy cells and therefore it produces serious side-effects during long-term treatment. The most important side effect is in the bone marrow where blood cells are made. Regular blood tests may therefore be needed to prevent the damage becoming permanent.

Tioguanine can be taken by mouth as a tablet. It is recommended that effective contraceptive measures be taken when either partner is taking this medicine.

What is it used for?

• Leukaemia