Drug drug interactions of xanthine oxidase inhibitors
What drug drug interactions complicate the use of xanthine oxidase inhibitors?
Mercaptopurine (MP) and its prodrug azathioprine are metabolized by xanthine oxidase. Thus, the concomitant use of MP or azathioprine with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol or febuxostat) can lead to increased immunosuppressive drug levels and life-threatening bone marrow toxicity. Consequently, these combinations should be avoided when possible.
