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Medication Information Leaflet
Allopurinol is used to prevent gout, a condition that can cause pain and swelling in the joints.
Gout happens when there is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a chemical that is produced when the body breaks down certain food. Allopurinol reduces the production of uric acid, thus lowering the uric acid levels in the body.
Allopurinol is also used in the treatment of uric acid stones and to prevent uric acid levels from going up too high during chemotherapy.
- Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
- This medication should be taken with or after food to reduce stomach upset.
- Take this medication with plenty of water.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You have history of kidney condition
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
It may take a few weeks before you get the full benefits from taking this medication.
Drink enough water (2-3 litres of water a day) unless your doctor has advised you to restrict fluid intake.
Follow the diet plan recommended by your doctor or dietician.
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Take this medication with or after food to reduce stomach upset
When allopurinol is started for gout prevention, the chances of having gout attacks may be higher initially. Do not stop taking this medication without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe another medication to be taken together to reduce the risk of getting gout attacks during the initial period of this medication.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Allopurinol is generally safe, but very rarely, a bad skin reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TENs) or Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systematic symptoms (DRESS) may happen. This can cause serious health problems that may sometimes be fatal. Your doctor may conduct a gene testing before starting this medication as individuals with a specific gene type (HLA-B*5801) or poor kidney function may be more likely to suffer serious skin reactions.
Stop this medication and see a doctor immediately if you have the following signs within three months of starting this medication. These symptoms may occur separately and may not occur all at the same time:
- Painful rash which can spread to a bigger area and start to blister
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Mouth ulcers
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Flu-like symptoms
In rare instances, this medication may also cause injury to the liver. Stop this medication and see a doctor immediately if you notice any dark-coloured urine, light coloured stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
