Allopurinol

Description

Allopurinol is an antigout agent which is used to prevent gout attacks by reducing the uric acid production. It should be started at low doses and increase gradually. It is not recommended in the patients with the known history of allergy.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Allopurinol

  • Joint pain
  • Skin rash
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Yellow colored eyes or skin
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Change in taste
  • Blurred vision

Uses of Allopurinol

What is it prescribed for?

  • Gout
  • Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy
  • Calcium Oxalate Calculi with Hyperuricosuria
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 2 to 3 days.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is known to excreted in breast milk. It is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine. Monitoring of allergic reactions like skin rash and blood cell count is necessary.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Allopurinol.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is known to excreted in breast milk. It is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine. Monitoring of allergic reactions like skin rash and blood cell count is necessary.
General warnings

Allergic reactions

This medicine should be discontinued immediately when allergy symptoms like skin rash, swelling of lips, and face appear.

Hydration

Drink adequate amount of water (2 liters/day) to increase the urine output and to prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Liver disease

This medicine is known to cause liver failure. Obtain baseline of liver function tests before initiation of the treatment. The treatment should be discontinued if any signs of any increase in the liver enzymes appear.

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia

This medicine is not recommended for use in the patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose should be skipped.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Azathioprine

Antacids

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI's)

Disease interactions

Bone marrow suppression

This medicine may decrease the blood cell production and increases the risk of infections and other serious condition. Frequent monitoring of blood cells level is necessary. Any signs of altered blood cell level should be reported to the doctor.

Impaired kidney function

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with existing kidney disease. The dose should be adjusted based on the CrCl.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Allopurinol as advised by the doctor. Do not take this medicine in larger quantities than recommended. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent the formation of kidney stones. The treatment should be started at lower doses and increase the dose gradually based on the response. It is advised not to operate machinery and drive vehicle due to the risk of dizziness.
Miscelleneous

To be taken after food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by reducing the uric acid levels in the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antigout agents

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 24 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/23722

Allopurinol: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 24 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682673.html

DailyMed - Allopurinol tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 24 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=682dd8b8-fc6e-47c5-95b7-82d7ad96b750

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 24 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 24 May 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2

How will this medicine affect me?

Consult top doctors online and get an answer now
Consult now
Consult now

Looking for a doctor?

Book an appointment with the top doctors near you
Book now
Book now
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 5 Jan 2018

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.