drug-medicine : allopurinol

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take this medicine. It gives a broad outline of the more important things you should know. If you want to know more about this medicine or you are not sure about anything please ask your doctor or pharmacist. Please keep this leaflet throughout your course of treatment.

THE NAME OF YOUR MEDICINE IS ALLOPURINOL TABLETS BP

The tablets contain Allopurinol BP. They are available in two strengths of 100mg and 300mg.

Allopurinol Tablets 100mg and 300mg are white, circular tablets.

Other ingredients are lactose, maize starch, povidone, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate.

Allopurinol Tablets BP 100mg and 300mg are available in strip packs of 28 tablets.

Allopurinol is a drug used to lower high levels of uric acid in the blood.

WHAT ARE ALLOPURINOL TABLETS BP FOR ?

Allopurinol Tablets BP are used for the long term prevention of gout, the prevention of kidney stones and the treatment of high levels of uric acid (which can be associated with various disorders).

BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE

You should not take Allopurinol Tablets BP if:-

You have been told you are allergic to allopurinol or any of the other ingredients.

Do not start a course of Allopurinol Tablets BP while you are having an attack of gout.

You should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or wish to become pregnant or start breast feeding whilst taking this medicine.

Care should be taken if you have liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. Your doctor may decide to give you a lower dose of these tablets. If you have liver problems your doctor may arrange for you to have blood tests to check your liver function.

In patients with gout, allopurinol can cause attacks during the first few months, so you should also be treated with an anti-gout agent.

These tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness or affect your vision. If affected, you should avoid driving or operating machinery.

Please talk to your doctor if you are taking Allopurinol Tablets BP with other medicines, especially:

some drugs used to alter the body's immune response (ciclosporin, azathioprine, pentostatin, mercaptopurine and cyclophosphamide)
some drugs used to reduce excess water in the body (thiazide diuretics)
some antibiotics (ampicillin and amoxycillin)
some drugs used to thin the blood (e.g. warfarin)
a drug used to reduce high blood pressure (captopril)
a drug used to treat breathing problems (theophylline)
some drugs used to treat epilepsy (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
another drug used for gout (probenecid)
aspirin
some drugs used to treat diabetes (chlorpropamide, tolbutamide)
aluminium hydroxide, contained in some indigestion remedies - these should not be taken within 3 hours of taking Allopurinol Tablets BP

It may be necessary for your doctor to alter the dose of Allopurinol Tablets BP or the other medicine. This list includes some medicines that you can buy without a prescription, so make sure your doctor knows what you are taking. If you have any doubts about whether you should take these tablets, then discuss matters with your pharmacist or doctor before taking them.

TAKING THIS MEDICINE

The usual starting dose of Allopurinol Tablets BP for adults is 100mg daily. This may be increased gradually to doses in the range of 200mg to 600mg daily.

Up to 300mg may be taken as a single dose, but larger amounts should be taken in divided doses.

In children the usual dose is 10-20 mg/kg bodyweight daily.

Dosage may be reduced if you have kidney or liver problems or are elderly.

Your doctor will decide the dose that is best for you. Always follow your doctor's instructions completely and also follow any special instructions or warnings that appear on the label that the pharmacist has put on the package. If you do not understand, or are in any doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have been given a blister pack, to obtain a tablet, press on the tablet from the `blister' (or bubble) side with fingers or thumb, to push the tablet through the foil covering the other side. Only press out tablets for immediate use.

Unless instructed differently take your tablets after food with plenty of water. You should drink plenty of liquid (four pints) each day while you are taking these tablets.

You should continue to take your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, then do not take the missed dose at all. Never double the next dose to make up for the one missed.

If you accidentally take too much medicine contact your doctor or pharmacist or nearest hospital casualty department. Take this leaflet and any other tablets you have left to show the doctor or pharmacist.

AFTER TAKING THE MEDICINE

Like many medicines Allopurinol Tablets BP may cause side effects in some patients, particularly when treatment is first started. The most common side-effect is skin rash. If you develop a rash, fever, chills or painful joints, swollen glands or fits, you should stop taking the tablets IMMEDIATELY and contact your doctor or nearest hospital as you may be having an allergic reaction. Such reactions are very rare but they could affect your kidneys or liver, with serious consequences.

Less serious, rare side-effects can also occur such as altered skin sensation, pins and needles, loss of hair, feeling sick, being sick, stomach ache, diarrhoea, sore mouth, taste change or loss of taste, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, vision disturbances, generally feeling unwell, high blood pressure, swelling of the hands or ankles, impotence, swollen or painful breasts (sometimes in men).

If you have gout there may be an increase in attacks in the first few months of taking your tablets.

Allopurinol treatment can also cause liver problems and blood disorders, which may result in bruising easily, tiredness or jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes).

If you experience any other side effects or think you are reacting badly in any way, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital immediately.

SAFE KEEPING FOR THIS MEDICINE

Do not take this medicine if the expiry date on the packaging has passed or if the tablets show signs of deterioration such as discoloration. These tablets should be kept in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture in the package or container in which they were given to you. Do not transfer the tablets to another container. Keep tablets in a secure place out of the reach and sight of children. Remember this medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. Unless your doctor tells you to, do not keep tablets that you no longer need. Give them back to your pharmacist.