Allopurinol

Trade Names: Aloprim, Zurinol, Zyloprim

Type of Drug: Allopurinol is a cytoprotective agent that belongs to the class of drugs called enzyme inhibitors.

How Drug Works: Allopurinol blocks an enzyme necessary for making uric acid. When a large number of cancer cells are killed, they release substances that increase the production of uric acid. This is called tumor lysis syndrome. This large amount of uric acid can damage the kidneys. Allopurinol decreases the amount of uric acid made and thus protects the kidneys from the high levels of uric acid in the blood and urine. Allopurinol is used in the initial treatment of patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and small cell lung cancer.

How Drug Is Given: Allopurinol is given by mouth and by vein injection if you are unable to take the pill. When taken to treat gout, the dose is fixed. When taken to decrease uric acid levels due to chemotherapy, the dose depends upon your size and laboratory values such as uric acid and kidney function.

How Should I Take This Drug? Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.

Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities? Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.

Precautions: Allopurinol can interact with many other drugs. Make sure that you tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.

Allopurinol may increase blood levels of liver function tests.

The dose of allopurinol will be reduced if you have kidney problems.

STOP the drug immediately if you develop a rash. Call your doctor or nurse right away.

When given to decrease uric acid, allopurinol is given with intravenous fluids so that the kidneys are protected.

Rarely, allopurinol can cause an allergic reaction with fever, chills, joint ache, rash, itching, nausea, vomiting, and changes in blood counts. If any of these occur, stop taking the drug and tell your doctor right away.

Overall, allopurinol is usually well tolerated.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

Most of the following side effects probably will not occur. Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you. They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.

Side Effects:

Less Common Side Effects Drowsiness Headache Sleepiness

Rare Side Effects Seizures Agitation Changes in mental status Tremor Allergic reaction (rash, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, joint pain) Hair thinning Severe skin rash with peeling of the skin

Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug If a severe skin rash with peeling should occur, stop taking the drug right away and call your doctor.

Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.

FDA Approval: Yes