Allopurinol

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (al oh pure' i nole)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Allopurinol is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body caused by certain cancer medications, and kidney stones. Allopurinol is in 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 prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur.


How should this medicine be used?

Allopurinol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day, preferably after a meal. To help you remember to take allopurinol, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take allopurinol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of allopurinol and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week.

It may take several months or longer before you feel the full benefit of allopurinol. Allopurinol may increase the number of gout attacks during the first few months that you take it, although it will eventually prevent attacks. Your doctor may prescribe another medication such as colchicine to prevent gout attacks for the first few months you take allopurinol. Continue to take allopurinol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking allopurinol without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking allopurinol,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to allopurinol or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox); ampicillin (Polycillin, Principen); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); cancer chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and mercaptopurine (Purinethol); chlorpropamide (Diabinese); diuretics ('water pills'); medications that suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran) and cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); other medications for gout such as probenecid (Benemid) and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); and tolbutamide (Orinase). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease or heart failure.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking allopurinol, call your doctor.
  • you should know that allopurinol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
  • ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking allopurinol. Alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of allopurinol.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Allopurinol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • upset stomach
  • diarrhea
  • drowsiness
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
  • skin rash
  • painful urination
  • blood in the urine
  • irritation of the eyes
  • swelling of the lips or mouth
  • fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
  • loss of appetite
  • unexpected weight loss
  • itching

Allopurinol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Gout Suppressants
  • Antigout Preparations
  • Preparations Inhibiting Uric Acid Production
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Antimetabolites
  • Musculo-Skeletal System
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Preparations inhibiting uric acid production
Prescribed For the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with primary or secondary gout. Also indicated for the treatment of primary or secondary uric acid ne...
Weight :136.1115
Structure Allopurinol
Generic Drug Allopurinol prescribed For the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with primary or secondary gout. Also indicated for the treatment of primary or secondary uric acid ne...
Formula

C5H4N4O

Allopurinol has 81 Brands listed


Algor (100 mg)Algor (200 mg)
Algoric (100 mg)Allgoric (100 mg)
Allgout (100 mg)Allopurinol (100 mg)
Alloric (300 mg)Alnol (100 mg)
Alnol (300 mg)Alopur (100 mg)
Alopur (300 mg)Aloric (100 mg)
Aloric (300 mg)Aloriv (100 mg)
Alur (100 mg)Alur (300 mg)
Aluric (100 mg)Aluric (300 mg)
Avery (100 mg)Axanthine (300 mg)
B Loric (100 mg)Biorinol (100 mg)
Burin (300 mg)Cemia-SR (300 mg)
Ciploric (100 mg)Ciploric (300 mg)
Dynol (100 mg)Estinol (100 mg)
FulloricGudloric (100 mg)
Gurik (100 mg)Kayloric (100 mg)
Kayloric (100 mg) (KCM Lab)Klorinol (100 mg)
Lodiric (100 mg)Lodiric SR (250 mg)
Logout (100 mg)Logout SR (250 mg)
Mecnol (100 mg)Mecnol (300 mg)
Myloric (100 mg)Myloric (300 mg)
Puril (100 mg)Purinol (100 mg)
Purinol (300 mg)Purolic (100 mg)
Riloric (100 mg)Riloric (300 mg)
Satric (100 mg)Seloric (100 mg)
Soviric (100 mg)Swiloric (100 mg)
Ureka (100 mg)Ureka (300 mg)
UrichekUriclear (100 mg)
Urid (100 mg)Uridip (100 mg)
Urigon (100 mg)Urinol (100 mg)
Urinol (300 mg)Uripure (100 mg)
Uripure (300 mg)Uritas (100 mg)
Uritas (300 mg)Urlo (100 mg)
Urlo (300 mg)Urxoall (100 mg)
Urxoall (300 mg)Xoric (100 mg)
Z Nol (100 mg)Zanupirol (100 mg) (V and B Healthcare)
Zanupirol (100 mg) (Zaneka Pharma)Zeric (100 mg)
Zyloric (100 mg)Zyloric (300 mg)
Zyprinol (100 mg)Zyprinol SR (250 mg)
Zyrik (100 mg)Zyrinol (100 mg)
Zytol DT (100 mg)

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