Treats gout and some kinds of kidney stones. Lowers the amount of uric acid in blood.
Brand Names:
Zyloprim
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to allopurinol.
Uses:
Tablet, Capsule
Take this medicine exactly as your doctor ordered.
Even if you think the medicine is not working, KEEP TAKING THE ALLOPURINOL, even if you are taking other medicines for gout attacks. The attacks should become shorter and less severe after you take allopurinol for several months.
Drink 10 to 12 full glasses of liquids each day unless directed differently by your doctor.
You may take the medicine after meals to avoid stomach upset.
If a dose is missed:
Take as soon as possible except when it is close to the time for your next dose.
If almost time for next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
Storage:
Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking blood thinners (such as Coumadin®), diuretics (such as hydrochlorothiazide), ampicillin, amoxicillin, cyclosporine, azathioprine (Imuran®), or mercaptopurine (Purinethol®).
Avoid taking large doses of vitamin C.
To help prevent gout attacks, avoid beer, wine, alcoholic drinks, and purine-rich foods, such as anchovies, sardines, liver, kidney, lentils, and sweetbreads.
Warnings:
Check with your doctor before taking this medicine if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, seizures, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer or other medical problems.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Be careful when driving a car or using machinery.
Stop using allopurinol and call your doctor right away if you notice a skin rash, pain when you use the bathroom (urinate), blood in your urine, irritation of your eyes, or swelling of your lips or mouth.
Your doctor may prescribe another medicine, colchicine, when you start using allopurinol. Be sure to get an information sheet about colchicine also.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
