Generic Name(s): Allopurinol (al-oh- pure- i-nole)
Brand Name(s): Zyloprim

This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist

Common Uses:

Allopurinol is used to treat gout. It is also used to treat patients with kidney stones and to decrease levels of uric acid in people who are receiving cancer treatment.

How to use:

Take Allopurinol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take Allopurinol in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Allopurinol.Take each dose with a full glass of water. To reduce your risk of kidney stones forming, drink 8 to 10 full glasses of fluid every day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Warning and Precautions:
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Allopurinol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may worsen your condition.
Your doctor may recommend a special diet to help treat your condition. Follow your diet and medication routines very closely.
Do not use this medication if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to allopurinol. Before taking Allopurinol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• diabetes;
• congestive heart failure;
• high blood pressure; or
• if you are receiving any chemotherapy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take allopurinol. FDA pregnancy category C. Allopurinol may be harmful to an unborn baby.

Important safety information:
Before taking Allopurinol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• azathioprine (Imuran);
• chlorpropamide (Diabinese);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral);
• mercaptopurine (Purinethol);
• an antibiotic such as ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, others) or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Trimox, Wymox);
• a blood thinner such as dicoumarol or warfarin (Coumadin); or
• a diuretic (water pill).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Allopurinol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Side Effects:
Any of the medicine can cause side effects. If the side effects occur seek medical attention or consult with your doctor for more information.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Allopurinol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• pain or bleeding when you urinate;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• dizziness or drowsiness;
• increased sweating; or
• joint pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Overdose:
Almost any medicine taking in excess doses without consultation with your doctor can cause an overdose.Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much Allopurinol. An overdose of Allopurinol is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Missed Dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the allopurinol dose at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not use this medicine:
Do not use this medication if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to Allopurinol

Storage conditions:
Store Allopurinol away from heat, direct light, water, moisture at a room temperature (approximately 23 degrees C ). The medicine should be kept in a place unreachable for children.

All information given above is a summary. You must visit your doctor, pharmacies or health care provider can provide more information about this medicine. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Do not store medication with end term of storage.