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| Pronunciation |
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 (al
oh PURE i
nole) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Aloprim™;
Zyloprim® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Allopurinol® (Canada);
Novo-purol® (Canada); Purinol® (Canada); Atisuril®
(Mexico); Unizuric® 300
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to allopurinol or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to prevent gout attacks. It may take 2-6 weeks
to see the benefit.
- It is used to prevent arthritis and kidney problems caused by gout.
- It prevents high blood levels of uric acid. This occurs in patients
being treated for cancer.
- Other uses include treatment of kidney stones and prevention of side
effects due to fluorouracil.
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| How does it work? |
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- Allopurinol decreases production of uric acid. Too much uric acid
causes gout attacks, arthritis, and kidney
problems.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Drink 10-12 glasses of liquid every day unless told to drink less
liquid by healthcare provider.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Do not take antacids within 3-6 hours of using this
medicine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines. If you are on azathioprine, mercaptopurine,
captopril, enalapril, or ampicillin, tell healthcare provider.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are on warfarin. You may need your INR
checked in 2 weeks from starting medicine.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). It decreases this
medicine's effectiveness.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Skin rash.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Pain with urination or blood in urine.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- Suspension can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Throw away suspension after 2
months.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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