ALLOPURINOL

Who is Allopurinol for ?

Allopurinol is used to treat chronic gout and to keep the body from producing excessive amounts of uric acid, which could lead to or aggravate various medical problems. It is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur. Allopurinol is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Allopurinol blocks a protein called xanthine oxidase, which is responsible for the production of uric acid. Uric acid is the chemical that causes gout.

When should I be careful taking Allopurinol ?

Before taking allopurinol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to allopurinol or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), ampicillin (Polycillin, Principen), anticoagulants ("blood thinners"), cancer chemotherapy agents (azathioprine, mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), diuretics ("water pills"), medication for high blood pressure, theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
• 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.
• ask your doctor for advice on drinking alcoholic beverages, as alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of allopurinol.

Side Effects

Although side effects from allopurinol are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• indigestion
• drowsiness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• painful urination
• blood in the urine
• irritation of the eyes
• swelling of the lips or mouth