Allopurinol
About Allopurinol
Allopurinol is primarily used to reduce blood uric acid levels. It is used to treat Gout (increased uric acid leading to inflammation), kidney stones, and bladder stones.
Allopurinol contains allopurinol, which works by blocking the action of xanthine oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the production of uric acid. It inhibits uric acid formation in the body and prevents crystal formation, making it effective in managing gout and kidney/bladder stones.
Take Allopurinol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water, and do not crush or chew it. Common side effects of Allopurinol include stomach upset, diarrhoea, skin rash, and drowsiness. Please talk to your doctor if any of these side effects persist.
Do not take Allopurinol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor for advice before using Allopurinol. Seek medical advice immediately if you notice unexplained weight loss while on treatment with Allopurinol.
Uses of Allopurinol
Medicinal Benefits
- Allopurinol is used to reduce serum uric acid levels.
- It helps prevent and treat gout by stopping the formation and buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.
- It decreases urinary uric acid concentration, thereby reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.
- It helps prevent uric acid from forming stones in the bladder.
- It lowers uric acid levels in patients undergoing chemotherapy, protecting the kidneys and minimising complications.
Directions for Use
- Take Allopurinol with food to avoid stomach upset or as advised by a doctor.
- Recommended to take the medicine once or twice a day or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Allopurinol
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Skin rash
- Drowsiness
- Feeling or being sick
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Allopurinol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
- If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor for advice before using Allopurinol.
- Inform your doctor if you have thyroid problems, high blood pressure, or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
- In rare cases, Allopurinol may cause bone marrow depression, especially in patients who are already taking other medications with similar effects.
- Seek medical advice immediately if you notice unexplained weight loss while on treatment with Allopurinol.
- Allopurinol may cause drowsiness, so avoid operating machinery or driving until you are fully alert.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Allopurinol may interact with certain medicines, potentially increasing side effects or altering their effectiveness. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Anti-HIV drugs (Didanosine)
• Potential effect: May increase the blood levels of Didanosine. - Drugs used for high blood pressure (Lisinopril, Ramipril, Captopril)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of severe allergic reactions and infections. - Uric acid-lowering drugs (Pegloticase)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of side effects. - Anticancer drugs (Mercaptopurine)
• Potential effect: May increase the effectiveness of Mercaptopurine. - Antiviral drugs (Entecavir)
• Potential effect: May increase the blood levels of both medications and the risk of side effects.
Drug-Food Interactions: Allopurinol should not be taken along with alcohol, as it can increase uric acid levels.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Allopurinol should be used with caution in individuals with thyroid disease, hypertension, or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAllopurinol should not be taken along with alcohol, as it increases uric acid levels.
Pregnancy
cautionAllopurinol is a Category C pregnancy drug. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAllopurinol is excreted in human breast milk, so it is not recommended during breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeAllopurinol may cause some individuals to feel drowsy. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery if you are affected.
Liver
cautionAllopurinol to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionAllopurinol to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeAllopurinol hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years to treat gout or kidney stones.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Dietary choices:
- Avoid or restrict foods high in purine, such as alcohol, fish, meat, and bacon, as they can increase uric acid levels.
- Avoid soft drinks and fruit juices high in fructose.
- Maintain a diet rich in fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products to support overall health.
Lifestyle habits:
- Losing weight can help lower uric acid levels in the body.
- Engage in moderate physical activity daily.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help flush uric acid from the body.
- Limit or avoid alcohol and tobacco, as they can raise uric acid levels.
- Stress may sometimes trigger gout attacks, so activities like yoga and meditation can be helpful.
Special Advise
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water or other fluids each day while taking Allopurinol, unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you have kidney disease, consult your physician before increasing fluid intake.
- If you are intolerant to sugars, please consult your doctor before starting Allopurinol.
- Your doctor will monitor your kidney function constantly before and during treatment with Allopurinol.
- A liver function test should be performed regularly to monitor liver enzymes, as Allopurinol may cause fluctuations in these enzymes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Gout: It is a type of inflammatory (allergic reaction) to uric acid crystals that form and accumulate inside the feet, knuckles, and surrounding joints due to high uric acid levels in the blood. Common symptoms include severe joint pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, and stiffness.
Kidney and bladder stones: It is a problem in which hard deposits of minerals and salts form in the kidneys or bladder, leading to stones. Kidney stones can cause severe pain, blood in urine, and urinary obstruction, while bladder stones may lead to difficulty passing urine, pain, and frequent urination. Both types are often linked to high uric acid levels, dehydration, or certain medical conditions.
FAQs
Allopurinol is used to treat gout (increased uric acid leading to inflammation), kidney stones, and bladder stones. It decreases blood uric acid levels in the body.
Allopurinol contains allopurinol, which works by blocking the action of xanthine oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the production of uric acid. It stops uric acid formation inside the body and prevents crystal buildup, making it effective in managing gout and kidney/bladder stones.
If you are taking Allopurinol and it makes you vomit, then your contraceptive pill would not be effective, and it could lead to an unwanted pregnancy. If you are of childbearing age, inform your doctor before starting Allopurinol and use another form of contraceptive like condoms.
Initially, when you start Allopurinol, it can increase the number of gout attacks. Please do not stop taking Allopurinol on having an acute attack (sudden attack) of gout, as it can make the attack even worse. Co-administration with an anti-inflammatory agent (e.g., colchicine) is recommended, and the dose of Allopurinol should be increased slowly.
Generally, when Allopurinol is administered to elderly patients (aged> 65 years), the dose is reduced based on the patient’s condition. Also, if you mention all underlining disease you suffer from, which could affect Allopurinol, the dose will be adjusted accordingly by your doctor.
Yes, Allopurinol can cause drowsiness in some people. It can even make you feel dizzy or have a problem with coordination. It is advisable to avoid driving or operating machinery to avoid any unpleasant side effects.
No, Allopurinol is not an anti-inflammatory medicine. It works by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which catalyses the formation of uric acid. It inhibits uric acid formation within the body without affecting essential cellular and systemic mechanisms.
It may take several weeks to lower uric acid levels before you begin to feel better or notice a significant reduction in gout attacks.
Allopurinol may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach upset, or drowsiness. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
It is preferable to take Allopurinol after a meal to prevent stomach upset. But take it at the same time every day to help you remember to take it. However, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
You may experience an increase in gout attacks after you have started taking Allopurinol. However, with several months of therapy, these attacks typically become less severe and shorter. This increase in attacks may be due to the slow dissolution of uric acid crystals, which can cause fluctuations in blood uric acid levels. If you still have any concerns, please consult your physician.
If you consume alcohol while taking Allopurinol, it increases uric acid levels and worsen your condition. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption while taking Allopurinol.
If you forget to take a dose of Allopurinol, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Store Allopurinol in a cool, dry and dark place. Protect from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.
