What is Allopurinol and how does it work?

Progout contains the active ingredient allopurinol. Allopurinol belongs to a group of medicines called anti-hyperuricaemics. These medicines work by reducing the formation and accumulation of uric acid in the body. Excess amounts of uric acid in the blood may lead to the development of crystals which deposit in the joints, causing pain, swelling and tenderness.

Allopurinol is used in the treatment of:

• Gout or gouty arthritis (a condition of painful swollen joints caused by uric acid crystals)
• Kidney stones (uric acid crystals in the kidney)
• Skin tophi (uric acid crystals beneath the skin)

Allopurinol is also used to prevent high uric acid levels forming in the blood that can occur due to certain types of cancers and their treatment, or rare enzyme disorders.

Allopurinol will not relieve a gout attack that has already started, nor will it cure gout, but it will help prevent gout attacks.

Your doctor may have prescribed Allopurinol for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Allopurinol has been prescribed for you.

Dosage & Administration:

In adults, the usual dose of Allopurinol is 100 mg to 200 mg daily for mild conditions, 300 mg to 600 mg daily for moderately severe conditions and 700 mg to 900 mg daily for severe conditions.

Elderly people over 65 years of age and those with kidney or liver problems may need smaller doses.

For children under 15 years of age the dose is calculated according to body weight. The maximum dose used in children is usually 400 mg daily. Your doctor may advise you to take a different dose. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

Swallow the Allopurinol tablets with a glass of water. Take Allopurinol during or immediately after a meal. This will lessen the chance of a stomach upset.

Allopurinol is usually taken once a day. However, if your dose is higher than 300 mg a day, your doctor may advise you to take it morning and night.

To properly control your condition, Allopurinol must be taken every day. Allopurinol will not cure your condition but will help control pain, stiffness and other symptoms. Keep taking Allopurinol for as long as your doctor recommends.

Notes: Medicine Express

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EditText of this page (last edited November 20, 2008)