Generic Allopurinol

Common Use
Allopurinol is an arthrifuge which inhibits xanthine oxidase and prevents formation of uric acid from xanthine and hypoxanthine Reduces the concentration of uric acid and its salts in body fluids promotes the dissolution of existing urate deposits and prevents their formation in tissues and kidneys The medication is used to treat diseases accompanied by hyperuricemia such as gout primary and secondary nephrolithiasis forming of kidney stones from urates hyperuricemia abnormally high level of uric acid in blood both primary and secondary which results in diseases involving enhanced dissolution of nucleoproteins and elevated levels of uric acid in the blood including at various forms of leukemias and also for treatment of some other conditions

Dosage and Direction
The dose of 100 to 800 mg a day may be prescribed depending on the condition Initial dose of 100 mg can be increased gradually Patients with acute gout and tophi uric acid crystals in the tissues mostly around joints should be treated with 300 to 400 mg of Allopurinol daily Doses over 300 mg should be divided in two or more intakes Take medication with food to avoid irritation of the stomach Do not take large doses of vitamin C Drink plenty of water to avoid formation of kidney stones Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages and purinerich foods such as sweetbreads sardines anchovies kidneys liver and lentils

Precautions
Allopurinol should be taken over a period of several months so your symptoms start to reduce Regular intake is important even if no immediate effect is noticed You may experience acute attacks of gout more often at the beginning of treatment with Allopurinol even after normal uric acid levels are reached The attacks will become shorter and less acute as the therapy continues At any sign of allergic reaction stop taking the medication and consult your doctor as development of serious skin disease irreversible damage to the liver or generalized inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel is possible in some individuals Inform your doctor if you have diabetes or kidney dysfunction before taking Allopurinol as correction of your dose is needed

Contraindications
Allopurinol cannot be used in patients with hypersensitivity to the medication in individuals with hepatic or renal disorders primary hemochromatosis asymptomatic hyperuricemia acute gout pregnancy lactation The medication cannot be prescribed to children under 14 years of age unless the patients are treated for leukemia malignant tumors and enzymatic disorders Use with care in renal failure heart failure diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Possible Side Effect
The most common adverse reactions are diarrhea nausea allergy such as rash or itching and drowsiness Stop taking the medication at first signs of rash painful or bloody urination eye irritation or facial swelling because these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction requiring immediate treatment In rare cases Allopurinol can cause damage to nerve kidney and bone marrow as well as be a reason for serious and even fatal allergic liver toxicity In patients with liver toxicity appetite loss and itching may indicate it The risk increases in patients with kidney impairment

Drug Interaction
The dose of oral mercaptopurine Purinethol and azathioprine Imuran should be reduced as Allopurinol increases their blood levels Risk of skin rash increases in patients taking Allopurinol with penicillins

Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose If it is almost time of your next dose just skip it and return to your regular schedule Do not exceed the recommended dose

Overdose
In case of suspected overdose seek immediate medical attention No specific information is available about Allopurinol overdose

Storage
Store at room temperature below 25 C 77 F and out of reach of children and pets

Disclaimer
We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions possible drug interactions or precautions Information at the site cannot be used for selftreatment and selfdiagnosis All specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain We are not responsible for any direct indirect special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of selftreatment