Allopurinol
Information about Allopurinol
Allopurinol uses
Allopurinol is used in the treatment of gout
It is a long-term treatment to lower blood uric acid levels and to prevent gout attacks. It also prevents and treats calcium kidney stones.
It is a long-term treatment to lower blood uric acid levels and to prevent gout attacks. It also prevents and treats calcium kidney stones.
How allopurinol works
Allopurinol blocks the enzyme xanthine oxidase involved in the synthesis of uric acid and hence lowers the blood uric acid levels.
Common side effects of allopurinol
Skin rash
Available Medicine for Allopurinol
Expert advice for Allopurinol
- Allopurinol is not a painkiller and it may take a few days to weeks before it starts working. You would need to take additional medicines to relieve your pain and inflammation during this time.
- You may experience an increase in gouty attacks for first few weeks or months of taking Allopurinol. However, you must continue to take your medicine during these attacks.
- Do not stop taking Allopurinol at once or without talking to your doctor as this may make gout worse.
- Drink lots of water or fluids while taking Allopurinol to decrease the risk of kidney stone formation.
- Get blood uric acid levels checked at regular intervals.
- Get your liver function tests done before you start taking this medicine and whenever asked by your doctor as Allopurinol can affect your liver.
- Allopurinol can make you feel drowsy. Avoid driving, use of machinery, or any activity that requires you to be alert.
Frequently asked questions for Allopurinol
Allopurinol
Q. Is Allopurinol safe to use?
Allopurinol is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor
Q. What is Allopurinol?
Allopurinol belongs to a group of medicines called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It reduces the amount of uric acid in the body by blocking one of the processes that make it. It is used to treat gout (pain and swelling of the small joints due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood and subsequent deposition in the joints), kidney stones, and to remove uric acid from the body in certain cancers.
Q. Can I take Allopurinol with Torasemide?
Allopurinol can be taken with Torasemide. Allopurinol is sometimes given to decrease the hyperuricemic effects of Torasemide. However, Allopurinol is not safe in patients with renal failure, so may need to be replaced with another similar medicine like febuxostat.