Allopurinol

Allopurinol belongs to a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones. Allopurinol is used to treat gout (a type of arthritis in which uric acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, builds up in the joints and causes sudden attacks of redness, swelling, pain, and heat in one or more joints). Allopurinol is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur. Allopurinol does not need to be stopped during an acute flare. Allopurinol is also used to treat high levels of uric acid that builds up in the blood as tumors break down in people with certain types of cancer who are being treated with chemotherapy medications. It is also used to treat kidney stones that have come back in people who have high levels of uric acid in their urine.

Allopurinol belongs to a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones. Allopurinol is used to treat gout (a type of arthritis in which uric acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, builds up in the joints and causes sudden attacks of redness, swelling, pain, and heat in one or more joints). Allopurinol is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur. Allopurinol does not need to be stopped during an acute flare. Allopurinol is also used to treat high levels of uric acid that builds up in the blood as tumors break down in people with certain types of cancer who are being treated with chemotherapy medications. It is also used to treat kidney stones that have come back in people who have high levels of uric acid in their urine.

You should not use allopurinol if you are allergic to it. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: diabetes; congestive heart failure ; high blood pressure ; if you are receiving chemotherapy; if you have a gene variation called HLA-B*58:01 allele (your doctor can test you for this); liver disease; or kidney disease. Allopurinol may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to allopurinol (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction ( fever , sore throat , burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Allopurinol may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have: any skin rash, no matter how mild; painful urination, blood in the urine; inflammation of your blood vessels - numbness or tingling, skin rash, fever, headache , body aches, night sweats, weight loss , feeling or weak or tired; signs of infection - fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding; or liver problems - loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach pain (upper right side), itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Common allopurinol side effects may include: an increase in gout attacks when you first start taking this medicine; rash; drowsiness ; abnormal liver function tests; nausea , vomiting , diarrhea ; or kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to allopurinol. Allopurinol can lower 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. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly. In rare cases, allopurinol may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have painful urination, blood in your urine, burning in your eyes, swelling in your face or throat, skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can make your condition worse. Allopurinol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to allopurinol. Allopurinol can lower 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. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly. In rare cases, allopurinol may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have painful urination, blood in your urine, burning in your eyes, swelling in your face or throat, skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can make your condition worse. Allopurinol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

300 to 600 mg (450 (450)) 24 hourly PO —

10 to 20 mg/kg/day (15 (15)) As recommended. Oral — For under 15 years of age: maximum 400 mg/day in neoplastic condition, enzymes disorder.

10 to 20 mg/kg (15 (15)) 24 hourly oral —

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: azathioprine or mercaptopurine ; chlorpropamide ; cyclosporine ; cancer medicine; other gout medications; an antibiotic such as ampicillin or amoxicillin ; a blood thinner such as warfarin , Coumadin , Jantoven ; or a diuretic or "water pill". This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with allopurinol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Tab Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.