Allopurinol is an anti-hyperuricemic medication developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration and initially approved in the year 1966, for treating gout and chemotherapy-induced hyperuricemia.

Allopurinol helps to treat gout (a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by sudden and severe attacks of pain, tenderness, redness, and swelling in the joints, most commonly affecting the base of the big toe). This tablet is also used to treat chemotherapy-induced hyperuricemia. Some cancer treatments can cause an increase in uric acid levels, which may lead to kidney damage or gout. This medicine may be used with chemotherapy to prevent hyperuricemia and its associated complications.

Take the Allopurinol Tablet as advised by your physician. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Allopurinol are skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and drowsiness.

Allopurinol is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to it or its component. Stop taking this tablet and contact your doctor immediately if you develop a rash or skin symptoms. Inform your doctor of any heart, thyroid, kidney, or liver disease. Your physician may prescribe you a low dose and perform regular blood tests.

It is generally recommended to avoid using Allopurinol during pregnancy unless it is necessary. Taking this drug while breastfeeding is unsafe because it may affect the child. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.

Avoid driving and lifting heavy machinery if you feel tired or weak during this treatment. Certain activities or conditions that can trigger gout attacks, such as fasting, rapid weight loss, and stress, should also be avoided while taking Allopurinol. Foods high in purines should be avoided, such as red meat, organ meats, and some seafood, which can increase uric acid levels and reduce the effectiveness of this drug. It is highly advised to avoid or limit the consumption of these foods while taking this tablet.

Drink plenty of water. Smoking leads to oxidative stress in the body, leading to increased uric acid levels. It is advised to avoid smoking or using tobacco products while undergoing treatment with this drug. This drug contains lactose as an inactive ingredient in which the body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It can cause symptoms such as bloating, and abdominal pain. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy.

1. Strides Pharma UK Limited, European Medicine Consortium (EMC), [Revised on April 2022], Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.14283.pdf [Accessed on 27th May 2023].
2. Allopurinol - food and drug administration (FDA). [Revised on Feb 2022], Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/020298s012lbl.pdf [Accessed on 27th May 2023].
3. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Inflammation, Immunomodulation and Hematopoiesis, pharmacotherapy of gout, 12th edition, 2011, 996.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antirheumatoid and antigout drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 213-217.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.