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Allopurinol

  • Make sure you drink plenty of water while on these tablets.
  • Allopurinol may, rarely, make you feel sleepy or affect your vision. If this happens, avoid driving or operating machinery.

About allopurinol

Type of medicine Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
Used for Prevention of gout
Treatment of hyperuricaemia (too much uric acid in the blood)
Also called Zyloric
Available as Tablets

Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid in the joints, often the big toe. Allopurinol works by lowering uric acid levels in the body.

Before taking allopurinol

Before taking allopurinol make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you are suffering from an acute attack of gout.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
  • If you suffer from heart disease, or have high blood pressure.
  • If you have had a reaction to this drug before.

How to take allopurinol

  • Take your tablets after food.
  • Make sure you drink plenty of water while on these tablets.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Allopurinol is used to prevent gout. It is not used to treat a sudden attack of gout. Your doctor will be able to prescribe you another medicine to treat an attack.
  • Allopurinol may, rarely, make you feel sleepy or affect your vision. If this happens, avoid driving or operating machinery.
  • Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet and keep alcohol intake to a minimum.

Can allopurinol cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Thirst, tiredness, weight loss Drink more water and contact your doctor.
Feeling or being sick Eat little and often.
Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
If you are sick, drink plenty of liquid.

Other side effects include joint pain, headache, and swelling of the ankles.

Important: if you experience skin rash, flaking skin, boils, or sore lips or mouth contact your doctor immediately.

Important: contact your doctor immediately if you notice yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

How to store allopurinol

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3217		 DocRef:
dils2070		 Last Updated:
16 Aug 2007		 Date of Next Review:
15 Aug 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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