AZA/6-MP–Induced Hepatotoxicity in IBD Patients

Although 6-MP metabolite levels can be high in patients with hepatotoxicity, measurement of these levels is a poor predictor of drug-related toxicity.

For treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its parent drug azathioprine (AZA) have excellent long-term safety profiles. However, hepatotoxicity can be a serious side effect. Monitoring serum levels of 6-MP metabolites such as 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotide (6-MMPR) and 6-thioguanine nucleotide might be a way to optimize AZA dosing and minimize toxicity. To assess the efficacy of this method, researchers at an IBD center in California determined the prevalence of 6-MP– or AZA-induced hepatotoxicity and evaluated the clinical use of 6-MMPR levels in predicting such hepatotoxicity.

In this retrospective study, medical records were used to identify 173 adults with IBD who received AZA (mean da…

Reviewing Author

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose