ALLOPURINOL

USES

DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION

How to take:
Tablet -- Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach
irritation.
When to take:
At the same times each day.
If you forget a dose:

Time lapse before drug works:
Reduces blood uric acid in 1 to 3 weeks. May require 6 months to
prevent acute gout attacks.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
None expected.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If child takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or
hospital emergency room for instructions.

POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO

Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
Rash, hives, itch. Discontinue. Call doctor right
away.
Infrequent:

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if:
You are allergic to allopurinol.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have had liver or kidney problems.
Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies
show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug
benefits justify risk to unborn child.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and
monitored by your physician.
Prolonged use:
No age-related problems expected.
Skin & sunlight:
No age-related problems expected.

Driving or hazardous activities:
Avoid if you feel drowsy. Use may disqualify you for piloting
aircraft.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
Acute gout attacks may increase during first weeks of use. If
so, consult doctor about additional medicine.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS

Ampicillin	Likely skin rash.
Anticoagulants, oral	May increase
(see Drugs Glossary)	anticoagulant effect.
Antidiabetics, oral	Increased uric-acid
(see Drugs Glossary)	elimination.
Azathioprine	Increased azathioprine effect.
Chlorpropamide	May increase chlorpropamide effect.
Chlorthalidone	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Cyclophosphamide	Increased cyclophosphamide
	toxicity.
Diuretics, thiazide	Decreased allopurinol
(see Drugs Glossary)	effect.
Ethacrynic acid	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Furosemide	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Indapamide	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Iron supplements	Excessive accumulation
(see Drugs Glossary)	of iron in tissues.
Mercaptopurine	Increased mercaptopurine effect.
Metolazone	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Probenecid	Increased allopurinol effect.
Theophylline	May increase theophylline effect.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Tobacco:	None expected.
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