Allopurinol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is Allopurinol for?

Allopurinol is a drug used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. This drug is also used to prevent elevated uric acid levels in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Cancer chemotherapy patients may experience increased uric acid levels due to the release of uric acid from dead cancer cells. Allopurinol works by reducing the amount of uric acid made by the body. Increased uric acid levels can lead to gout and kidney problems.

What are the rules for using Allopurinol?

This medication is usually taken by mouth once daily or exactly as directed by your doctor. Take this medication after meals to reduce stomach upset. If the dose is more than 300 milligrams per day, you will need to split it into smaller doses to use one day to reach the recommended amount (ask your doctor for instructions).

This medication is best taken with a glass of water (240 ml) for each dose, and drinking at least 8 glasses of more fluids a day. If your doctor directs you to drink less fluids for other medical reasons, consult your doctor for further instructions. Your doctor may also instruct you on ways to reduce acid in your urine (for example, avoiding large amounts of ascorbic acid / vitamin C).

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use this remedy regularly to get its benefits. To help you remember, drink it at the same time every day.

For the treatment of joint pain due to gout (gout), it may take up to several weeks to feel the effects of this drug. You may experience gout more frequently for several months after starting this treatment while your body removes excess uric acid. Allopurinol is not a pain reliever. To reduce pain from gout, continue to take medications prescribed for gout attacks (eg, colchicine, ibuprofen, indomethacin) as directed by your doctor.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Allopurinol?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Allopurinol for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for gout (Gout)

Initial: 100 mg orally once a day.

Maintenance: 200-300 mg (gout mild) orally once a day, or 400-600 mg / day (gout moderate-severe) in divided doses.

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy

Early:

Parenteral: 200 to 400 mg / m² / day up to a maximum dose of 600 mg / day

Oral: 600 to 800 mg / day for 1 to 3 days with a minimum consumption of 2 L of fluids / day.

Maintenance: 200 to 300 mg / day orally until the patient is no longer at high risk for hyperuricemia.

Usual Adult Dose for Calcium Oxalate stones with hyperuricosuria

Initial: 200 to 300 mg orally once a day.

Maintenance: 300 mg / day or less.

Usual Adult Dose for Congenital Heart Failure

Study (n = 11) to prevent superoxide free radical formation and improve endothelial function (in classes NYHA II to III chronic heart failure): 300 mg orally daily for 1 month

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiac Surgery

Study: In Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, give 600 mg orally one day before surgery and 600 mg orally on the day of surgery.

Usual Adult Dose for Leishmaniasis

Study (n = 31 - Cutaneous leishmaniasis: 20 mg / kg / day plus a low dose of meglumine antimoniate (30 mg / kg / day) for 20 days.

Usual Adult Dose for Mania

Case Report - Mania (bipolar I) associated hyperuricemia: 300 mg orally daily.

Usual Adult Dose for High Risk Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

Study (n = 38) - Primary Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA): 400 mg orally immediately after admission to the emergency department (approximately 60 minutes before reperfusion) and after the primary PTCA was completed.

Usual Adult Dose for Reactive Perforating Collangenosis

Case Report: 100 mg orally every day.

What is the dosage of Allopurinol for children?

Usual Children's Dose for Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy

Parenteral:

Age ≤10 years: 200 mg / m2 / day in 1-3 divided doses, not to exceed 600 mg in 24 hours. Dosing doses greater than 300 mg should be given in divided doses.

Age ≻10 years: 200 to 400 mg / m2 / day given in 1 to 3 divided doses, not to exceed 600 mg / 24 hours.

Oral:

Age ﹤ 6 years: 150 mg / day in 3 divided doses.

Age 6-10 years: 300 mg / day in 2-3 divided doses.

Age> 10 years: 600-800 mg / day in 2 to 3 divided doses

Usual Children's Dose for Leishmaniasis

Age> 5 years: Study (n = 31) - Cutaneous leishmaniasis: 20 mg / kg / day, plus a low dose of meglumine antimoniate (30 mg / kg / day) for 20 days.

In what dosage and dosage is Allopurinol available?

Tablet, Oral: 100 mg, 300 mg.

Side effects

What side effects may occur due to Allopurinol?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or if you feel like you might pass out.

Stop using Allopurinol and call your doctor if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• Fever, sore throat, and severe headache, peeling skin, and red skin rash
• The initial symptom of any skin rash, no matter how mild
• Pain or bleeding when urinating
• Nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of appetite, weight loss, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Joint pain, flu symptoms
• Tingling, numbness, pain, or severe muscle weakness
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum)
• purple or red spots under your skin

Less serious side effects may include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Drowsiness, headache
• Changes in the sense of taste or
• Muscle ache

Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using Allopurinol?

Before using Allopurinol,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Allopurinol, or any other medicines
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: other anticoagulants such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox) ampicillin (Polycillin, Principen) anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin) cancer chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and mercaptopurine (Purinethol) chlorpropamide (Diabinese) diuretics ('water pills') drugs that suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran) and cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). Other drugs for gout such as probenecid (Benemid) and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane) and tolbutamide (Orinase). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking allopurinol, call your doctor
• You should know that allopurinol can make you sleepy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you
• Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking allopurinol. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of allopurinol

Is Allopurinol safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Studies in women show that this drug poses minimal risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding.

Interaction

What medicines may interact with Allopurinol?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval

Tell your doctor about other medicines you use, especially:

• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
• Merkaptopurine (Purinethol)
• Antibiotics such as ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, others) or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Trimox, Wymox)
• Blood thinners such as dicoumarol or warfarin (Coumadin) or
• Diuretic.

Can food or alcohol interact with Allopurinol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider

What health conditions may interact with Allopurinol?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Bone marrow problems
• Liver disease - Use with caution. It might make things worse.
• Kidney disease - Use with caution. Side effects may increase because the drug is cleared more slowly from the body.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.