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Allopurinol
Pronounced: al-oh-pure-i-nole
Other Name(s): Zyloprim
Allopurinol is used in the treatment of many symptoms of gout, including tophi (collection of uric acid crystals in the tissues, especially around joints), joint destruction, and uric acid stones. Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by increased blood levels of uric acid. Allopurinol works by reducing uric acid production in the body, thus preventing crystals from forming.
Allopurinol is also used to manage the increased uric acid levels in the blood of people with certain cancers, such as leukemia. It is also prescribed to manage some types of kidney stones.
ADULTS
Your doctor will tailor the dosage of Allopurinol individually to control the severity of symptoms and to bring the uric acid levels to normal or near normal.
Gout
The usual starting dose is 100 milligrams once daily. Your doctor may increase your dose by 100 milligrams per day at 1-week intervals until desired results are attained. The average dose is 200 to 300 milligrams per day for mild gout and 400 to 600 milligrams daily for moderate to severe gout. The most you should take in a day is 800 milligrams.
Recurrent Kidney Stones
The usual dose is 200 to 300 milligrams daily, divided into smaller doses or taken as one dose.
Management of Uric Acid Levels in Certain Cancers
The usual dose is 600 to 800 milligrams daily for 2 to 3 days, together with a high fluid intake.
CHILDREN
The usual recommended dose for children 6 to 10 years of age is 300 milligrams daily for the management of uric acid levels in certain types of cancer. Children under 6 years of age are generally given 150 milligrams daily.
*Notify your doctor should you experience a skin rash or any influenza-type symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, nausea or vomiting) that occur along with a rash or shortly after the rash. These symptoms may rarely indicate a severe hypersensitivity reaction where medical treatment is required. |
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