Allopurinol (By mouth)
al-oh-PURE-i-nol
Treats gout and kidney stones. Lowers the amount of uric acid in the blood.
Drug classes
Antigout, Urinary Stone Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Allopurinol is used to prevent or treat high uric acid levels in the blood. Gout or gouty arthritis (inflammation and pain in a joint) is caused by high uric acid levels. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that works by causing less uric acid to be produced by the body.
Allopurinol is also used to prevent or treat high uric acid levels that may be caused by cancer medicines or for patients with kidney stones that contain calcium.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Capsule
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Keep taking this medicine, even if you think it is not working and you are taking other medicines for gout attacks. The attacks should become shorter and less severe after you take allopurinol for several months.
Drink 10 to 12 full glasses of water each day unless directed differently by your doctor.
You may take allopurinol after meals to prevent stomach upset.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines and foods can affect how allopurinol works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
A blood thinner, such as warfarin or dicumarol A diuretic (water pill) Ampicillin, amoxicillin, cyclosporine Mercaptopurine, azathioprine SulfinpyrazoneDo not take large doses of vitamin C while you are taking allopurinol.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to allopurinol.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, seizures, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, or other medical problems.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Eye irritation
Joint pain or muscle aches
Pain when you urinate, blood in your urine
Yellow skin or eyes
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Drowsiness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Zyloprim
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
