Monday, March 18, 2024

How Does Allopurinol Treat Gout

Allopurinol Oral Tablets And Alcohol

Allopurinol – How it works in treatment of GOUT

There are no known interactions between allopurinol and alcohol.

But your doctor may suggest that you avoid certain alcoholic beverages as part of a low-purine diet. This diet is often recommended for people with gout or kidney stones because it can lower the level of uric acid in your bloodstream.

Beer and whiskey are especially high in purines. But its possible that all forms of alcohol can increase uric acid levels.

Also, drinking alcohol can cause dehydration. Staying well hydrated is important for helping prevent kidney stones.

If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to have while taking allopurinol oral tablets.

Dosage For Elevated Serum Uric Acid Levels Due To Cancer Treatments

Adult dosage

600800 mg per day for 2 or 3 days.

Child dosage

600800 mg per day for 2 or 3 days

Child dosage

300 mg per day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed based on your serum uric acid level.

Child dosage

150 mg per day. Your doctor will adjust your childs dose as needed based on your serum uric acid level.

Senior dosage

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

  • For people with kidney disease: Depending on how well your kidneys are working, your doctor will lower your dose. Your doctor will decide your dosage based on your creatinine clearance. This is a test that measures your kidney function.

Important Things To Remember

  • Once you are prescribed allopurinol it is very important that you do not stop taking it unless advised by your doctor or unless side effects develop. If allopurinol treatment is stopped there is a high risk that your gout may worsen.
  • You should continue to take it even if you do not have symptoms.
  • You should also continue to take it during an attack of gout.

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How Is It Taken

Allopurinol is taken as a tablet once a day. It is usually better to take it just after eating and the tablet should be swallowed with water. It is important to drink plenty of water during the day because this will help you get rid of more urate through your kidneys.

Your dose of allopurinol may change over time, depending on the amount of urate in your body. Your doctor will monitor your urate levels with blood tests every 2-4 weeks, until they are sure that the dose that youre taking is high enough to reduce the amount of urate in your body.

You may need to remain on a lower dose if you have kidney or liver problems.

Your doctor may recommend that you do not start taking allopurinol until after an attack of gout has passed to avoid triggering further attacks. If this is not possible, it may be started when your inflammation is not too bad.

Allopurinol doesnt treat the immediate pain caused by attacks of gout. But its a long-term treatment to get rid of the urate crystals which causes gout attacks.

It is likely that you will need to take allopurinol for the rest of your life to manage your urate levels. You should keep taking allopurinol even if:

  • you are experiencing more gout attacks, or it doesnt seem to help the pain and inflammation at first
  • you stop having gout attacks stopping your treatment can cause urate crystals to form again, which will lead to more gout attacks.
  • etoricoxib

Allopurinol Oral Tablets For Treating Gout

Allopurinol

Allopurinol oral tablets are FDA-approved to treat a common type of arthritis called gout. The drug is considered a maintenance treatment for gout. Over time, it can help prevent acute gout . But its not used to treat sudden gout attacks.

Gout explained

Gout can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually your big toe.

Gout occurs when your blood has too much of a waste product known as uric acid. Gout attacks are sudden, temporary flare-ups of severe pain and swelling. They usually go away in 1 or 2 weeks with treatment, which includes using drugs other than allopurinol. But gout attacks can keep coming back over time.

Effectiveness for treating gout

Clinical studies show that allopurinol oral tablets are effective for helping prevent gout attacks. The drug works by reducing uric acid levels in your body, which may take several weeks.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends the use of allopurinol in their treatment guidelines for gout.

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How Should This Medicine Be Used

Allopurinol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day, preferably after a meal. To help you remember to take allopurinol, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take allopurinol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of allopurinol and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week.

It may take several months or longer before you feel the full benefit of allopurinol. Allopurinol may increase the number of gout attacks during the first few months that you take it, although it will eventually prevent attacks. Your doctor may prescribe another medication such as colchicine to prevent gout attacks for the first few months you take allopurinol. Continue to take allopurinol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking allopurinol without talking to your doctor.

How Effective And Safe Is Allopurinol In Treating Gout & Kidney Stones

Allopurinol decreases the making of uric acid in the human body. The accumulation of uric acid in the body can cause kidney stones or gout. The drug is commonly taken for the treatment of kidney stones or gout and also to reduce the concentration of uric acid in the body of individual getting treatment of cancer.

Allopurinol is not used if the person ever had a severe allergic response towards this drug. The administration of the medicine is stopped and the doctor is called immediately if the person has any indications of skin rash regardless of the mildness. Each dose of Allopurinol should be taken with one glass of water. In order to decrease the hazard of kidney stones formation, 8-10 glasses of water should be drunk daily until the doctor asked you to stop.

Allopurinol decreases the normal proportion of blood cells which assist in fighting infections of the body. This makes the bleeding from an injury easier or get ill by being near to those who are sick. The blood of the person may need to be examined frequently so the visit to doctor should be done regularly.

Avoid alcohol consuming when taking Allopurinol as it can aggravate the symptoms. The drug Allopurinol might imbalance the thinking or reactions of the person using it. The person should remain careful if he doing thing which require him to be attentive.

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Can Allopurinol Cause Problems

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with allopurinol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer’s information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Common allopurinol side-effects What can I do if I experience this?
Skin rash You should let your doctor know about this as it could be an allergic-type reaction
Changes to blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone Your doctor will check for this

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

What Are The Side Effects Of Allopurinol

How to Treat Gout Effectively with Allopurinol

If you are allergic to the medication you should obviously not take it and if you take other medications it is important to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist because very serious drug interactions can occur and cause you more harm. Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, or drowsiness may occur. Rash is one of the more common side effects and can occur even after months or years of treatment with allopurinol. If you develop a skin reaction or allergic reaction from taking allopurinol, call your doctor right away. Your skin might blister, peel, loosen, develop red skin lesions, or sores as a reaction to this medication. If its an allergic reaction and you develop itchy hives, swelling, get chills, have fever, or trouble breathing, go to the nearest emergency room. You cannot take allopurinol again as this might be deadly the next time you take it.

Pay attention to other symptoms too as these are indications of a more serious health condition. If you have stomach pain, pale stool, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness, yellow eyes and skin, or dark urine, call your doctor right away as this means you have a liver proble. Because allopurinol makes you sleepy, it is important that you dont take it when youre doing activities that require you to be alert such as driving.

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Allopurinol And Other Medications

Below are examples of medications that can interact with allopurinol oral tablets. This section does not contain all drugs that may interact with allopurinol.

Before taking allopurinol oral tablets, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs that can affect how allopurinol oral tablets work include:

  • Salicylates, which can cause the opposite effect of allopurinol and prevent it from lowering uric acid levels. Examples of these drugs include:
  • bismuth subsalicylate

Allopurinol oral tablets can affect how other drugs work. If you take one of the following drugs, you may need a lower dose than usual if you also take allopurinol:

Some medications can increase your risk for certain side effects.* These drugs include:

  • Amoxicillin , which has been reported to increase the risk of skin rash when used in combination with allopurinol.
  • Thiazide diuretics, which can increase the risk of kidney problems, especially in people with kidney disease. Examples of thiazide diuretics include:

* For more information about side effects, see the Allopurinol oral tablet side effects section above.

What To Do Now

Truthfully, everyone may be troubled by fear when it comes to the side effects of allopurinol. The liver destruction, homeostasis disturbance and morbid illnesses are only a few of its side effects. Certainly, if you have already depended on allopurinol all your life, youre asking now what else can I do? Is there a substitute for allopurinol?

Luckily, there is some substitute for the allopurinol. Theres still hope to treat the condition. This may be done by retreating the root cause of the hyperuricemia, gout or whatsoever condition that gives you a reason to take allopurinol. This certain root is known as the acidosis.

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Other Uses For This Medicine

Allopurinol is also sometimes used to treat seizures, pain caused by pancreas disease, and certain infections. It is also sometimes used to improve survival after bypass surgery, to reduce ulcer relapses, and to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

If You Have Gout and Take This Medicine

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

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How To Take Allopurinol

  • Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about allopurinol and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
  • If you have recently had a gout attack, make sure your symptoms have completely gone before you start taking allopurinol tablets.
  • Take allopurinol exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual starting dose is one tablet each day, although this may be increased as you go on. Your dose will be adjusted in line with how much uric acid is in your blood.
  • Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water, preferably just after a meal. It’s also important that you have plenty to drink throughout the day. Aim to drink 2-3 litres of fluid each day.
  • You can take allopurinol at whatever time of day you find easiest to remember however try to take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to take it regularly.
  • If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Some Side Effects Can Be Serious The Following Symptoms Are Uncommon But If You Experience Any Of Them Call Your Doctor Immediately:

  • skin rash
  • swelling of the lips or mouth
  • fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
  • loss of appetite
  • unexpected weight loss
  • itching

Allopurinol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .

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What Is Allopurinol And How Does It Work

Allopurinol is a prescriptionmedication used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. It is also used to prevent increased uric acid levels in patients receiving chemotherapy. These patients can have increased uric acid levels due to the release of uric acid from the dying cancer cells. Allopurinol works by reducing the amount of uric acid made by the body. Increased uric acid levels can cause gout and kidney problems.

  • Allopurinol is available under the following different brand names: Zyloprim and Aloprim.

How Should Allopurinol Drug Be Taken

Allopurinol Treats Gout, Uric Acid Levels and Kidney Stones – Overview
  • Allopurinol should be taken as suggested by the doctor. It should not be taken increased or decreased amounts for longer period of time than suggested. The directions of the prescription label should be labeled.
  • The doctor may change the dose sometimes to ensure best outcomes.
  • Each dose should be taken with one full glass of water. In order to decrease the danger of formation of kidney stones, 8-10 full glasses of fluid daily should be taken until or unless the doctor advises you.
  • When the person first takes allopurinol, he may have attacks of gout often. The doctor may suggest you some other medications for gout which should be taken along with allopurinol. Keep on taking medication as recommended and if the symptoms do not relieve then he should tell it to the doctor.
  • Allopurinol decreases the normal proportion of blood cells which assist in fighting infections of the body. This makes the bleeding from an injury easier or get ill by being near to those who are sick. The blood of the person may need to be examined frequently so the visit to doctor should be done regularly.

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Does Ibuprofen Interact With Allopurinol

Theres no interaction between allopurinol oral tablets and ibuprofen. Its safe to take ibuprofen with allopurinol.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug . Its commonly prescribed to ease the swelling and pain that occurs with gout, usually in your big toe. Your doctor may recommend that you take ibuprofen if youre also using allopurinol.

Keep in mind that if you take allopurinol, you should not use aspirin because it can prevent allopurinol from working as well as usual.

For more about allopurinol interactions, see the Allopurinol oral tablet interactions section above.

If you have other questions about what drugs you can take during your treatment with allopurinol oral tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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