Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Antigout
Uses
- Treatment for chronic gout.
- Prevention of kidney stones caused by uric acid.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
When to take:
At the same times each day.
If you forget a dose:
1 dose per day--Take as soon as you remember up to 6 hours
late. If more than 6 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't
double this dose).
More than 1 dose per day--Take as soon as you remember up
to 3 hours late. If more than 3 hours, wait for next scheduled
dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Slows formation of uric acid by inhibiting enzyme (xanthine
oxidase) activity.
Time lapse before drug works:
Reduces blood uric acid in 1 to 3 weeks. May require 6 months
to prevent acute gout attacks.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
None expected.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center
or hospital emergency room for instructions.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Common:
Infrequent:
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes).
- Drowsiness, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
without oother symptoms, headache.
Rare:
- Sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising.
- Numbness, tingling, pain in hands or feet.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to allopurinol.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have had liver or kidney problems.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies
show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether
drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing.
Infants & children:
Not recommended.
Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations
or laboratory studies to check liver function, kidney function,
complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count,
red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), and serum uric-acid
determinations.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel drowsy. Use may disqualify you for piloting
aircraft.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
Acute gout attacks may increase during first weeks of use.
If so, consult doctor about additional medicine.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
