Mercaptopurine vs Methotrexate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Mercaptopurine was dispensed 1.2× as often as Methotrexate in May 2026 — 3,749 items versus 3,225 in England.
3,749items
Mercaptopurine · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
3,225items
Methotrexate · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Mercaptopurine versus Methotrexate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Mercaptopurine · ╌ Methotrexate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Mercaptopurine | Methotrexate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 3,749 | 3,225 |
| Items, last 12 months | 49,943 | 40,622 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £111,195 | £213,236 |
See the full profile for Mercaptopurine or Methotrexate.