what is allopurinol generic for

Precautions

Generic allopurinol is considered as safe and effective as the brand version and is less expensive. Generic allopurinol is available for treatment of gout, certain kinds of kidney stones and high levels of uric acid in the blood.

Is there a generic version of allopurinol?

Zyloprim is the brand name of the drug allopurinol, which is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body (often caused by certain cancers and cancer treatments), and kidney stones. Allopurinol is a type of medication called a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Click to see full answer.

Is Zyloprim the same as allopurinol?

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• aluminum hydroxide, dried (USP) Aluminum hydroxide can cause a decrease in the absorption of Allopurinol resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
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What drugs interact with allopurinol?

Usual dose: 1.2 mg to 2.4 mg orally daily, administered in 1 or 2 divided doses. -Dose increases should be made in increments of 0.3 mg/day as needed and tolerated to control disease; if intolerable side effects develop, the dose should be decreased in increments of 0.3 mg/day. Maximum dose: 2.4 mg/day. Comments:

How much allopurinol can I take in one day?

What is the most serious side effect on the use of allopurinol?

If you notice a skin rash or redness, tell a doctor straight away, as this can develop into a life-threatening skin condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare side effect of allopurinol. It causes flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and forms blisters.

What does allopurinol do to your body?

Allopurinol is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones. Allopurinol is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur.

What is the brand name of allopurinol?

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.

What drugs should not be taken with allopurinol?

But remember you should only take one NSAID at a time – so do not take another if you have already been prescribed one to reduce the effects of gout attacks. Allopurinol can also react with drugs that are often prescribed for high blood pressure, such as bendroflumethiazide, indapamide, lisinopril, ramipril.

How long should you take allopurinol?

Adults and children 11 years of age and older—600 to 800 milligrams (mg) per day, taken in divided doses for 2 to 3 days. Children 6 to 10 years of age—300 mg per day, taken once a day for 2 to 3 days.

What kills uric acid in the body?

Natural Home Cures to Reduce the High Uric Acid LevelWater. Drink more water, ideally 8 glasses of water each day, to eliminate excess uric acid.Lime Juice. Lime juice has a high substance of vitamin C. ... Avoid High-protein Diet. ... Apple Cider Vinegar. ... Vitamin E & Vitamin C. ... Cherries & Berries. ... Baking Soda. ... High-fiber Foods.More items...

Is allopurinol hard on kidneys?

Allopurinol can help lower serum urate levels to improve gout symptoms without an increased risk to the kidneys, they concluded. "Our results help to mitigate the concern that allopurinol is harmful to the kidney functioning of patients with gout," said Dr. Vargas-Santos.

Which vitamin is restricted for a patient on allopurinol?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

How long does it take for allopurinol to lower uric acid levels?

It can take 2-3 months to become fully effective. It does not have any effect during a gout attack, although you should continue to take it regularly every day even if this happens. During the first few weeks of taking allopurinol, your blood levels of uric acid may rise for a short while before they fall.

What happens if you suddenly stop taking allopurinol?

Do not stop taking allopurinol suddenly unless you have a skin rash or allergic reaction. Speak to your doctor or nurse before stopping. Stopping allopurinol quickly can cause a flare up and make your gout worse.

Is weight gain a side effect of allopurinol?

Can allopurinol cause weight gain? Weight loss is more likely with allopurinol than weight gain. With allopurinol, patients experience weight loss, nausea, and a loss of appetite. Acute gout attacks, diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash are all possible side effects of allopurinol.

Does allopurinol raise blood pressure?

A meta-analysis of the effect of allopurinol on BP, combining data from 10 clinical studies with 738 participants, found a small reduction in BP in allopurinol-treated patients (3.3 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.4 to −5.3 mm Hg) for systolic BP.

How long does it take for allopurinol to lower uric acid levels?

It can take 2-3 months to become fully effective. It does not have any effect during a gout attack, although you should continue to take it regularly every day even if this happens. During the first few weeks of taking allopurinol, your blood levels of uric acid may rise for a short while before they fall.

How long does it take allopurinol to work?

Allopurinol is used for the long-term treatment of gout. Allopurinol starts to work within a few weeks but it can take longer for existing urate crystals to dissolve. Allopurinol should effectively treat your condition, and stop it causing damage to your joints.

Does allopurinol make you gain weight?

Can allopurinol cause weight gain? Weight loss is more likely with allopurinol than weight gain. With allopurinol, patients experience weight loss, nausea, and a loss of appetite. Acute gout attacks, diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash are all possible side effects of allopurinol.

What happens when you quit taking allopurinol?

Do not stop taking allopurinol suddenly unless you have a skin rash or allergic reaction. Speak to your doctor or nurse before stopping. Stopping allopurinol quickly can cause a flare up and make your gout worse.

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not take allopurinol if you are allergic to it.To make sure you can safely take allopurinol, tell your doctor if you have any of these o...

How Should I Take Allopurinol?

Take allopurinol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directio...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...

Allopurinol Dosing Information

Usual Allopurinol Adult Dose for Gout:Initial: 100 mg orally once a day.Maintenance: 200 to 300 mg (mild gout) orally once a day or 400 to 600 mg/d...

What Other Drugs Will Affect Allopurinol?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: 1. azathioprine (Imuran); 2. chlorpropamide (Diabinese); 3. cyclosporine (Gengraf,...

How to take allopurinol?

How to use Allopurinol. Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication after a meal to reduce stomach upset. If your dose is more than 300 milligrams a day, you will need to take several smaller doses during the day to get this amount (ask your doctor for directions).

How to report allopurinol side effects?

You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Before taking allopurinol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have had a severe reaction to it;

Why is allopurinol used for kidney stones?

Allopurinol is used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. It is also used to prevent increased uric acid levels in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. These patients can have increased uric acid levels due to release of uric acid from the dying cancer cells.

What to take for gout pain?

To relieve pain from gout, continue to take your prescribed medicines for gout attacks (e.g., colchicine, ibuprofen, indomethacin) as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, or drowsiness may occur.

Can you take allopurinol if you are allergic to it?

Before taking allopurinol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have had a severe reaction to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

What is the purpose of allopurinol?

Allopurinol is used to decrease uric acid levels in the blood and urine of people with high uric acid levels. High uric acid levels may be caused by the following:

How long does it take for allopurinol to go away?

You should not continue taking allopurinol if you develop a rash. Other mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long should I take gout medication?

Your doctor may give you nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or colchicine to treat the flare-up and prevent more flares. You may need to take these drugs for up to 6 months.

Does allopurinol help with uric acid?

Allopurinol decreases blood and urine uric acid levels by blocking xanthine oxidase. This is an enzyme that helps make uric acid. High levels of uric acid in your blood or urine can cause gout or kidney stones.

Is allopurinol a generic drug?

Allopurinol oral tablet is available as a generic drug and as brand-name drugs. Brand names: Zyloprim and Lopurin.

Is allopurinol safe to take?

Allopurinol oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

Is allopurinol IV or IV?

Allopurinol also comes in an intravenous (IV) form, which is only given by a healthcare professional.

What is allopurinol used for?

Allopurinol is a medication used to decrease high blood uric acid levels. It is specifically used to prevent gout, prevent specific types of kidney stones and for the high uric acid levels that can occur with chemotherapy. It is taken by mouth or injected into a vein.

What are the side effects of Allopurinol?

The most serious adverse effect is a hypersensitivity syndrome consisting of fever, skin rash, eosinophilia, hepatitis, and worsened renal function. Allopurinol is one of the drugs commonly known to cause Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, two life-threatening dermatological conditions.

What is the drug interaction between azathioprine and mercaptopurine?

Drug interactions are extensive, and are as follows: Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine: Azathioprine is metabolised to 6-mercaptopurine which in turn is inactivated by the action of xanthine oxidase - the target of allopurinol.

How long does it take for allopurinol to be metabolized?

Allopurinol is almost completely metabolized to oxipurinol within two hours of oral administration, whereas oxipurinol is slowly excreted by the kidneys over 18–30 hours. For this reason, oxipurinol is believed responsible for the majority of allopurinol's effect.

What drugs make allopurinol less active?

Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, bleomycin, procarbazine, mechlorethamine. Co-administration of the following drugs may make allopurinol less active or decrease its half-life: Salicylates and medicines that increase the secretion of uric acid.

What drugs interact with allopurinol?

Allopurinol may also increase the activity or half-life of the following drugs, in order of seriousness and certainty of the interaction: 1 Ciclosporin 2 Coumarin anticoagulants, such as warfarin (reported rarely, but is serious when it occurs) 3 Vidarabine 4 Chlorpropamide 5 Phenytoin 6 Theophylline 7 Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, bleomycin, procarbazine, mechlorethamine

When was allopurinol approved?

Allopurinol was approved for medical use in the United States in 1966. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system. Allopurinol is available as a generic medication.

Why is allopurinol prescribed?

Allopurinol is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body caused by certain cancer medications, and kidney stones. Allopurinol is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body.

How long does it take to get the full effect of allopurinol?

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.

What to tell your doctor before taking allopurinol?

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.

Can you get pregnant while taking allopurinol?

If you become pregnant while taking allopurinol, call your doctor. you should know that allopurinol may make you drowsy.

Does allopurinol make you drowsy?

you should know that allopurinol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

What is allopurinol used for?

What Is Allopurinol and How Does It Work? Allopurinol is a prescription medication used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. It is also used to prevent increased uric acid levels in patients receiving chemotherapy.

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Allopurinol?

Side effects associated with the use of Allopurinol, include the following:

How does allopurinol work?

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. Dosages of Allopurinol: Adult and pediatric dosages: Tablet. 100 mg.

Can you take allopurinol while pregnant?

Use allopurinol during pregnancy with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available, or neither animal nor human studies were done. Allopurinol is distributed into breast milk, use with caution when breastfeeding.

Can you take Zyloprim if you are allergic to Aloprim?

This medication contains allopurinol. Do not take Zyloprim or Aloprim if you are allergic to allopurinol or any ingredients contained in this drug. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Does allopurinol interact with other drugs?

Allopurinol has no known severe interactions with any drugs.

Can you breastfeed with allopurinol?

Allopurinol is distributed into breast milk, use with caution when breastfeeding.

What is allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) stops an enzyme called xanthine oxidase from making uric acid; this then lowers the uric acid levels in your body. Keeping uric acid levels low can prevent gout attacks and kidney stones.

How much does allopurinol (Zyloprim) cost?

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) is available as a generic medication and may be significantly cheaper compared to the brand version. Unless there is a specific reason you need the brand, the generic medication will be a better value. For even more savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.

What are the side effects of allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.

What is the best medication for gout?

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) is the first choice medication to prevent gout flares.

How long does it take for allopurinol to work?

Won't treat an active gout attack and can take 2 to 6 weeks to feel the full effects. Kidney stones can form while taking allopurinol (Zyloprim), especially in those who don't drink a lot of fluids. You must get several lab draws to figure out the right dose. Can cause drowsiness (sleepiness)

Does allopurinol cause kidney problems?

Taking allopurinol (Zyloprim) is not known to cause kidney problems. The medication leaves your body through the kidneys, so if your kidneys are not working at a certain level, your provider may lower your dose. Some people taking allopurinol (Zyloprim) have had kidney stones.

Does allopurinol help with gout?

For gout, allopurinol (Zyloprim) lowers uric acid to prevent gout flares. It won't work to lower pain and discomfort during a gout attack. It can take weeks to months to get to the correct dose of allopurinol (Zyloprim) and some people experience more gout attacks/flares during this time.

What is the generic name for allopurinol?

Allopurinol oral tablet is the generic version of the brand-name drug Zyloprim.

What is allopurinol class?

Allopurinol belongs to a class of drugs called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. A drug class is a group of medications that have a similar mechanism of action (how drugs work in the body).

Do side effects of allopurinol vary by the tablet strength (100 mg or 300 mg)?

It’s possible that some side effects of allopurinol may be more severe or more likely to occur with a high strength. But your doctor won’t start your treatment with a high strength of the drug. Instead, they’ll typically start you with a low dosage and slowly increase it over time.

Does ibuprofen interact with allopurinol?

There’s no interaction between allopurinol oral tablets and ibuprofen. It’s safe to take ibuprofen with allopurinol.

Should I stop taking allopurinol during a gout attack?

You should not stop taking allopurinol oral tablets during a gout attack. If you suddenly stop taking the drug, the uric acid level in your blood can rise. When your uric acid level is high, your gout symptoms may become worse.

Can allopurinol oral tablet be crushed, split, or chewed?

Yes, allopurinol oral tablets can be crushed, split, or chewed. For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does it take for allopurinol to work?

You’ll need to take allopurinol oral tablets for 2 to 3 days for the drug to start working.

What class is allopurinol?

Allopurinol belongs to the class of medicines called xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

What is allopurinol used for?

Allopurinol may be used to decrease levels of uric acid in people with gout, kidney stones, or who are receiving certain types of chemotherapy.

How long does it take for allopurinol to reach peak?

Peak levels of allopurinol are reached within 1.5 hours and 4.5 hours for its active metabolite. Allopurinol may be taken once daily.

How long does it take for allopurinol to cause bone marrow depression?

Rarely, may cause bone marrow depression. May occur anywhere from 6 weeks to years after administration of allopurinol and the risk is greatest in those receiving other drugs that also have the potential to cause bone marrow depression.

How often can you take allopurinol?

Available as an oral tablet and as an injection. Can be taken once a day. Generic allopurinol is available. 3. Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

When should uric acid be discontinued?

When used to treat high uric acid levels caused by treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, and other malignancies, it should be discontinued when the potential for overproduction of uric acid is no longer present. Occasionally may cause drowsiness. Affected people should not drive or operate machinery.

Does allopurinol affect kidney function?

The dosage of allopurinol needs reducing in people with kidney disease and their renal function monitored at least during the early stages of therapy. People administered allopurinol for high uric acid levels occurring as a result of cancer are at higher risk of developing kidney damage from allopurinol.

What is the liver biopsy for allopurinol?

Liver biopsy in allopurinol hepatotoxicity typically shows an acute cholestatic or mixed hepatitis. Bile duct injury may be prominent early and loss of bile ducts later during the course. Histology can also show granulomas including "ring" granulomas that are typically associated with visceral infections such as Q fever or Kala-azar. Granulomas may be found in other organs as well and represent a typical histological correlate to the immunoallergic response to a medication. Two examples of allopurinol hepatotoxicity are shown: one with a cholestatic hepatitis and another with acute granulomatous changes.

How long does it take for allopurinol to heal?

While most cases of acute liver injury attributed to allopurinol are self-limited and start to resolve within 7 to 10 days of stopping the medication, other cases are protracted, severe and even fatal. Instances of chronic vanishing bile duct syndrome due to allopurinol have been reported. Because of the accompanying allergic manifestations, corticosteroids are often used and usually result in prompt improvements in fever and rash, but their efficacy in ameliorating the liver injury is unproven. Relapse with early discontinuation of corticosteroids is common. There is no known cross reactivity of hypersensitivity to allopurinol with similar reactions to other medications, including the anticonvulsants.

Does allopurinol cause liver damage?

Chronic therapy with allopurinol is associated with transient and minor liver test abnormalities in 2% to 6% of patients, which resolve spontaneously or with drug discontinuation. More importantly, allopurinol has been linked to a very distinctive form of acute liver injury that is accompanied by prominent immunoallergic manifestations such as fever, rash, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy, atypical lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia, arthralgias and facial edema (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms — DRESS syndrome) (Case 1). The typical latency to onset is 2 to 8 weeks and liver injury arising during long term therapy is uncommon. The pattern of liver enzyme elevations tends to be mixed, but can be hepatocellular or purely cholestatic. Autoantibodies are not common. In some cases rash and fever arise before evidence of liver injury and rises in serum enzymes and bilirubin occur 1 to 2 weeks after the first immunoallergic manifestations. Eosinophilia in addition may arise only after the clinical manifestations. The systemic symptoms and signs of DRESS syndrome caused by allopurinol can also be manifested by renal, pulmonary or pancreatic dysfunction and even acalculous cholecystitis. More severe forms of allopurinol hypersensitivity reactions include Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), both of which are commonly accompanied by signs of liver injury, although the liver injury is often mild and transient serum aminotransferase elevations without jaundice. Overall, allopurinol hypersensitivity reactions have a high fatality rate, either from acute liver failure, chronic cholestatic injury or complications of other allergic manifestations such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, vasculitis, pancreatitis and renal dysfunction. African-American race and preexisting renal disease appear to be risk factors for hypersensitivity reactions to allopurinol.

Is allopurinol a xanthine oxidase inhibitor?

Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and a widely used medication for gout . Allopurinol is a rare but well known cause of acute liver injury that has features of a hypersensitivity reaction and can be severe and even fatal.

Can allopurinol cause cholestatic hepatitis?

Allopurinol may cause cholestatic hepatitis. This case shows canalicular (arrow) and hepatocellular cholestasis in zone 3. Only very mild inflammation is present in this photo. The central vein (V) is indicated.

Is allopurinol hepatotoxicity immunoallergic?

The mechanism of allopurinol hepatotoxicity is believed to be immunoallergic. Many cases resemble those of anticonvulsant hypersensitivity. Recently, several cases have been linked to concurrent infection with human herpesvirus-6, EBV or CMV infections. Severe allopurinol hypersensitivity skin reactions have been closely linked to HLA B*58:01 particularly in Asian populations but also to a lesser extend in Caucasians and African Americans, in whom there are also associations HLA-B*53:01 and A*34.02. These HLA associations are less common in cases of allopurinol liver injury without DRESS syndrome or SJS/TEN.

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• Allopurinol is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body caused by certain cancer medications, and kidney stones. Allopurinol is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones. Allopurinol is u...

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