Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It reduces the production of uric acid in your body. Uric acid buildup can lead to gout or kidney stones.
Allopurinol is used to treat gout. It is also used to treat patients with kidney stones and to decrease levels of uric acid in people who are receiving cancer treatment.
Allopurinol may also be used for other purposes not listed here.
Important information about Allopurinol
Do not use this medication if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to allopurinol. Stop taking allopurinol and call your doctor at once if you have any signs of skin rash, no matter how mild. Take each dose with a full glass of water. To reduce your risk of kidney stones forming, drink 8 to 10 full glasses of fluid every day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Allopurinol can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can make your condition worse. Allopurinol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Before taking Allopurinol
Do not use this medication if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to allopurinol. Before taking allopurinol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- diabetes;
- congestive heart failure;
- high blood pressure; or
- if you are receiving any chemotherapy.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take allopurinol.
FDA pregnancy category C. Allopurinol may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Allopurinol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use allopurinol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Allopurinol?
Take allopurinol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take allopurinol in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from allopurinol.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. To reduce your risk of kidney stones forming, drink 8 to 10 full glasses of fluid every day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Allopurinol can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store allopurinol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the allopurinol dose at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much allopurinol.
An overdose of allopurinol is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
Allopurinol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using allopurinol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
- pain or bleeding when you urinate;
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
- bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- dizziness or drowsiness;
- increased sweating; or
- joint pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Allopurinol?
Before taking allopurinol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- azathioprine (Imuran);
- chlorpropamide (Diabinese);
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral);
- mercaptopurine (Purinethol);
- an antibiotic such as ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, others) or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Trimox, Wymox);
- a blood thinner such as dicoumarol or warfarin (Coumadin); or
- a diuretic (water pill).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with allopurinol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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