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What is Allopurinol
 Allopurinol
reduces the production of uric acid in your body.
Allopurinol
is used to treat gout, increased levels of uric acid caused
by cancer treatment, and kidney stones that are caused by
high levels of uric acid.
Allopurinol
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Allopurinol
To reduce the risk that kidney stones will form, drink
8 to 10 full glasses (8-ounce glasses) of fluid every day,
unless your doctor directs otherwise.
Avoid alcohol.
It may worsen your condition.
Use caution when driving,
operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Allopurinol may cause drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness,
avoid these activities.
What you should find out before taking Allopurinol Before taking Allopurinol, tell your doctor if you
have kidney or liver disease. You may need a lower dose
of Allopurinol or special monitoring during your therapy.
Allopurinol is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This
means that it is not known whether Allopurinol will harm
an unborn baby. Do not take Allopurinol without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Allopurinol passes
into breast milk. Do not take Allopurinol without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Allopurinol Take Allopurinol exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water. Also, to reduce the risk
that kidney stones will form, drink 8 to 10 full glasses
(8-ounce glasses) of fluid every day, unless your doctor
directs otherwise.
Take Allopurinol with food or
milk to lessen stomach upset.
Store Allopurinol at
room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of an Allopurinol overdose are not known.
Avoid while taking Allopurinol Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Allopurinol may cause
drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Avoid alcohol. It may worsen your condition.
Follow your doctor's recommendations about diet.
Possible side effects of Allopurinol If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Allopurinol and seek emergency medical
attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives);
- blood in your urine or pain when
you urinate;
- a rash;
- eye irritation;
-
fever, chills, or joint aches; or
- severe nausea
or vomiting.
Other, less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to take Allopurinol and
talk to your doctor if you experience
- upset stomach
or diarrhea;
- headache, dizziness, or drowsiness;
or
- an acute attack of gouty arthritis.
Side
effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any reaction that seems unusual or
that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Allopurinol Taking ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, others) or
amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Trimox, Wymox, others) may
increase the risk that a rash will develop during Allopurinol
therapy. Tell your doctor that you are taking Allopurinol
if you need to take ampicillin or amoxicillin.
Thiazide
diuretics (water pills) may increase the amount of Allopurinol
in your blood. Tell your doctor if you are taking a diuretic
such as
- hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, Hygroton,
HCTZ, others),
- chlorothiazide (Diuril, others),
- chlorthalidone (Thalitone, others), or
-
indapamide (Lozol).
Allopurinol may also increase
the effects of the certain other drugs. Before taking Allopurinol,
tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
- azathioprine (Imuran),
- mercaptopurine
(Purinethol),
- drugs used to treat cancer,
-
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral),
- chlorpropamide
(Diabinese),
- warfarin (Coumadin), or
- theophylline
(Theochron, Theolair, Theo-Dur, others).
You may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you
are taking any of the drugs listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Allopurinol.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
