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Antimetabolites

Antimetabolites are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, skin cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. They can also be used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, and reduce the number of blood transfusions for people with sickle cell disaease. They work by slowing down cancer cell growth, reducing the need for blood transfusions, and protecting organs from immune system attacks.

Why are antimetabolites prescribed?

  1. Organ Transplant (47%)
  2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (17%)
  3. Leukemia (9%)
  4. Sickle Cell Disease (7%)
  5. Skin Cancer (7%)
  6. Thrombocythemia (7%)
  7. Ovarian Cancer (7%)
  8. Multiple Sclerosis (0%)
  9. Glaucoma (0%)
  10. Melanoma (0%)

Key takeaways

Antimetabolites are used to treat organ transplant rejection, certain cancers, and autoimmune disorders. They also have other uses, such as treating blood disorders. One way this broad medication class is thought to work is by interfering with DNA or RNA production, which stops the growth of rapidly-dividing cells. These medications come in different forms, including oral pills and injections. Examples include mycophenolate (CellCept), azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), and hydroxyurea (Hydrea, Droxia, Siklos).

Prices for popular Antimetabolites medications
Viewing 17 of 17 medications
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Cellcept (mycophenolate)

as low as$15
Cellcept (Mycophenolate) is an expensive drug used to decrease the immune system's response to a transplanted organ. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in brand and generic versions. The most common version of Cellcept is covered by 84% of insurance plans at a co-pay of $57.50-$87.50.
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Imuran (azathioprine)

as low as$20
Imuran (Azathioprine) is a moderately priced drug that suppresses the immune system. It is used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant and rheumatoid arthritis. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in brand and generic versions. The most common version of Imuran is covered by 76% of insurance plans at a co-pay of $60.00-$87.50, however, some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower.
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Hydrea (hydroxyurea)

as low as$12
HYDROXYUREA prevents the symptoms of sickle cell disease, such as pain crises and acute chest syndrome. It may also reduce the need for blood transfusions. It works by keeping red blood cells round and flexible, which prevents blood cells from clumping together. This also increases blood flow and the amount of oxygen that gets to your tissues. It can also be used to treat some types of cancer. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Myfortic (mycophenolic acid)

as low as$44
MYCOPHENOLATE prevents the body from rejecting an organ transplant. It works by lowering the body's immune system response. This helps the body accept the donor organ. It belongs to a group of medications called immunosuppressants.
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Droxia

as low as$27
Droxia (hydroxyurea) is a moderately priced drug used to treat painful crises of sickle cell anemia. It is slightly more popular than comparable drugs and is currently only available as a brand drug. Droxia is covered by some Medicare and insurance plans, but manufacturer and pharmacy coupons can help offset the cost.
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Azasan

as low as$50
AZATHIOPRINE prevents the body from rejecting an organ transplant. It works by lowering the body's immune system response. This helps the body accept the donor organ. It may also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
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Purinethol (mercaptopurine)

as low as$86
MERCAPTOPURINE treats leukemia. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Siklos

as low as$186
Siklos (hydroxyurea) is an expensive drug used to treat painful crises of sickle cell anemia. It is less popular than comparable drugs and is currently only available as a brand drug. Siklos is covered by some Medicare and insurance plans, but manufacturer and pharmacy coupons can help offset the cost.
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cladribine

as low as$300
CLADRIBINE treats leukemia. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Mitosol

as low as$418
MITOMYCIN is used during glaucoma surgery.\n \nThis medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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Xromi

as low as$734
Xromi is part of the Antimetabolites class and treats Sickle Cell Disease. Antimetabolites are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, skin cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. They can also be used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, and reduce the number of blood transfusions for people with sickle cell disaease. They work by slowing down cancer cell growth, reducing the need for blood transfusions, and protecting organs from immune system attacks. Xromi is only available as a brand name drug.
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Myhibbin

as low as$737
Myhibbin is part of the Antimetabolites class and treats Organ Transplant. Antimetabolites are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, skin cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. They can also be used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, and reduce the number of blood transfusions for people with sickle cell disaease. They work by slowing down cancer cell growth, reducing the need for blood transfusions, and protecting organs from immune system attacks. Myhibbin is only available as a brand name drug.
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Tabloid

as low as$12,942
THIOGUANINE treats leukemia. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Mavenclad

as low as$41,375
CLADRIBINE treats multiple sclerosis (MS). It is often prescribed when other treatment options have not worked well enough or cannot be tolerated. It works by slowing down an overactive immune system, which prevents or delays worsening symptoms. It also decreases the number of flare-ups.
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Arranon (nelarabine)

NELARABINE treats leukemia and lymphoma. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Nipent

PENTOSTATIN treats leukemia. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Purixan

MERCAPTOPURINE(mer kap toe PYOOR een) treats leukemia. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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Disclaimer: Popularity is based on total prescriptions for the brand and generic versions of each drug, regardless of the condition being treated. Some drugs are prescribed for multiple conditions.

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Compare other Antimetabolites drugs

Cellcept vs MyforticSandimmune vs CellceptCromolyn vs ImuranImuran vs AzulfidineImuran vs Prednisone

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