The following are some supportive drugs used during cancer treatment. Allopurinol (Zyloprim) prevents the buildup of uric acid in the body, which can lead to kidney damage or joint pain. Uric acid levels can increase after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, especially when they are given to treat cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia.
Does allopurinol cause cancer?
Allopurinol is FDA approved for management of patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers who are receiving cancer therapy that causes elevations of uric acid levels in association with tumor lysis syndrome. What is the mechanism of action? Allopurinol works by reducing the formation of uric acid.
What conditions does allopurinol treat?
Mar 05, 2021 · Allopurinol is also used to decrease levels of uric acid in people who are receiving cancer treatment. Warnings Allopurinol can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often.
Can allopurinol cause stomach problems?
Allopurinol is used in treatment of gout, high levels of acidity and prevention of gout attacks, which can be a side effects of certain cancer medications. Prescribed as an oral tablet, Allopurinol is taken once or twice a day after a meal. 1. Mechanism: Described as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, Allopurinol promotes the reduction of uric acid in the body. 1.
Why do cancer patients take allopurinol?
How does allopurinol prevent tumor lysis syndrome?
Why is allopurinol given?
Is allopurinol a treatment or prevention?
What are the long term side effects of allopurinol?
- skin rash.
- diarrhea.
- nausea.
- changes in your liver function test results.
- gout flare-up (if you have gout)
Is allopurinol taken for life?
Is 300 mg of allopurinol a lot?
What is a substitute for allopurinol?
Does allopurinol raise blood pressure?
How effective is allopurinol?
What is allopurinol 100mg used for?
When should allopurinol be used?
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not take allopurinol if you are allergic to it.To make sure you can safely take allopurinol, tell your doctor if you have any of these o...
How Should I Take Allopurinol?
Take allopurinol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directio...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
Allopurinol Dosing Information
Usual Allopurinol Adult Dose for Gout:Initial: 100 mg orally once a day.Maintenance: 200 to 300 mg (mild gout) orally once a day or 400 to 600 mg/d...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Allopurinol?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: 1. azathioprine (Imuran); 2. chlorpropamide (Diabinese); 3. cyclosporine (Gengraf,...
Does allopurinol lower blood cells?
Allopurinol can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Does allopurinol help with gout?
Allopurinol reduces the production of uric acid in the body. Uric acid buildup can lead to gout or kidney stones. Allopurinol is used to treat gout or kidney stones. Allopurinol is also used to decrease levels of uric acid in people who are receiving cancer treatment.
What are the side effects of allopurinol?
Common allopurinol side effects may include: 1 an increase in gout attacks when you first starting taking allopurinol oral; 2 rash; 3 drowsiness; 4 fever, chills; 5 abnormal liver function tests; 6 nausea, diarrhea; or 7 joint pain.
What drugs interact with allopurinol?
an antibiotic such as ampicillin or amoxicillin; a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or. a diuretic or "water pill". This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with allopurinol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Can allopurinol be used for asymptomatic high uric acid?
Allopurinol is used in the treatment of high uric acid levels associated with gout, kidney stones, and cancer treatment, it should not be used for asymptomatic high uric acid levels. If a rash occurs while taking allopurinol, immediate discontinuation of allopurinol is required and urgent medical advice should be sought. 5.
Does allopurinol help with gout?
Allopurinol may be used to decrease levels of uric acid in people with go ut, kidney stones, or who are receiving certain types of chemotherapy. Allopurinol reduces the production of uric acid (a compound produced by the body associated with gout and kidney stones), by inhibiting an enzyme called xanthine oxidase.
Can you take allopurinol once a day?
Can be taken once a day. Generic allopurinol is available. 3. Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: May cause a skin rash which may be a sign of an allergic reaction to allopurinol.
What are the side effects of taking allopurinol?
If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: May cause a skin rash which may be a sign of an allergic reaction to allopurinol.
How long does it take for allopurinol to cause bone marrow depression?
Rarely, may cause bone marrow depression. May occur anywhere from 6 weeks to years after administration of allopurinol and the risk is greatest in those receiving other drugs that also have the potential to cause bone marrow depression.
Does allopurinol affect kidney function?
The dosage of allopurinol needs reducing in people with kidney disease and their renal function monitored at least during the early stages of therapy. People administered allopurinol for high uric acid levels occurring as a result of cancer are at higher risk of developing kidney damage from allopurinol.
What to do if you forget allopurinol?
If you forget a dose of allopurinol, you do not need to double up the next dose. Just continue taking allopurinol as scheduled. Discontinue allopurinol at the first appearance of a skin rash, painful urination, blood in the urine, eye irritation, or facial swelling, and seek urgent medical advice.
Why is allopurinol prescribed?
Allopurinol is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body caused by certain cancer medications, and kidney stones. Allopurinol is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body.
What is allopurinol used for?
Expand Section. Allopurinol is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body caused by certain cancer medications, and kidney stones. Allopurinol is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones.
How long does it take to get the full effect of allopurinol?
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of allopurinol and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week. It may take several months or longer before you feel the full benefit of allopurinol.
Can you get pregnant while taking allopurinol?
If you become pregnant while taking allopurinol, call your doctor. you should know that allopurinol may make you drowsy.
What to tell your doctor before taking allopurinol?
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
Does allopurinol help with cancer?
Allopurinol works by reducing the amount of uric acid made by the body.
What is allopurinol used for?
Uses. Allopurinol is used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. It is also used to prevent increased uric acid levels in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. These patients can have increased uric acid levels due to release of uric acid from the dying cancer cells.
How to report allopurinol side effects?
You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Before taking allopurinol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have had a severe reaction to it;
Why is allopurinol used for kidney stones?
Allopurinol is used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones. It is also used to prevent increased uric acid levels in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. These patients can have increased uric acid levels due to release of uric acid from the dying cancer cells.
Does allopurinol cause kidney problems?
These patients can have increased uric acid levels due to release of uric acid from the dying cancer cells. Allopurinol works by reducing the amount of uric acid made by the body . Increased uric acid levels can cause gout and kidney problems.
How to take allopurinol?
How to use Allopurinol. Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication after a meal to reduce stomach upset. If your dose is more than 300 milligrams a day, you will need to take several smaller doses during the day to get this amount (ask your doctor for directions).
Is allopurinol a pain reliever?
Allopurinol is not a pain reliever. To relieve pain from gout, continue to take your prescribed medicines for gout attacks (e.g., colchicine, ibuprofen, indomethacin) as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, or drowsiness may occur.
Abstract
Clinical observations indicated an increased risk of developing prostate cancer in gout patients. Chronic inflammation is postulated to be one crucial mechanism for prostate carcinogenesis. Allopurinol, a widely used antigout agent, possesses potent anti-inflammation capacity.
Introduction
Gout is an inflammatory arthritic condition following chronic elevation of uric acid level. 1 Chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease are frequent comorbidities of gout. 1, 2 Hyperuricemia and chronic inflammatory status play important role in these comorbidities induced by gout.
Materials and methods
This study complies with ‘Personal Information Protection Act’ in Taiwan and was approved by the institutional review board of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital (Protocol Number: 05-W04-093).
Results
A total of 126 336 patients with newly diagnosed gout were identified. Patients with age of younger than 40 years or older than 100 years, female gender, diagnosis of gout for only one occasion, prescribing allopurinol before the index date, diagnosis of prostate cancer before the index date or diagnosis with gout before January 2000 were excluded.
Discussion
Findings from this population-based cohort study demonstrated for the first time that gout patients treated regularly with allopurinol for more than 365 days had a 34–36% decrease in the risk of developing prostate cancer compared with gout patients not treated with allopurinol.
How It Works
- Allopurinol may be used to decrease levels of uric acid in people with gout, kidney stones, or who are receiving certain types of chemotherapy.
- Allopurinol reduces the production of uric acid (a compound produced by the body associated with gout and kidney stones), by inhibiting an enzyme called xanthine oxidase. Allopurinol reduces levels...
- Allopurinol may be used to decrease levels of uric acid in people with gout, kidney stones, or who are receiving certain types of chemotherapy.
- Allopurinol reduces the production of uric acid (a compound produced by the body associated with gout and kidney stones), by inhibiting an enzyme called xanthine oxidase. Allopurinol reduces levels...
- Allopurinol belongs to the class of medicines called xanthine oxidase inhibitors.
Upsides
- May be used to prevent acute attacks of gout and to reduce ongoing complications of gout such as tophi (deposits of crystalline uric acid that form painful nodules), joint destruction, uric acid li...
- May be used temporarily to reduce elevated uric acid levels caused by certain cancer treatments in people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other malignancies.
- May be used to prevent acute attacks of gout and to reduce ongoing complications of gout such as tophi (deposits of crystalline uric acid that form painful nodules), joint destruction, uric acid li...
- May be used temporarily to reduce elevated uric acid levels caused by certain cancer treatments in people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other malignancies.
- May also be used to treat recurrent kidney stones (calcium oxalate calculi) in males with a urinary uric acid level of more than 800 mg/day, or in females with levels greater than 750 mg/day. The n...
- Available as an oral tablet and as an injection.
Downsides
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. May cause a skin rash which may be a sign of an allergic reaction to allopurinol. This is considered a serious event and allopurinol should be discontinued immediately and urgent medical advice sought. People with k…
Bottom Line
- Allopurinol is used in the treatment of high uric acid levels associated with gout, kidney stones, and cancer treatment, it should not be used for asymptomatic high uric acid levels. If a rash occurs while taking allopurinol, immediate discontinuation of allopurinol is required and urgent medical advice should be sought.
Tips
- Allopurinol may be better tolerated if taken with food.
- If you forget a dose of allopurinol, you do not need to double up the next dose. Just continue taking allopurinol as scheduled.
- Discontinue allopurinol at the first appearance of a skin rash, painful urination, blood in the urine, eye irritation, or facial swelling, and seek urgent medical advice.
- Allopurinol may be better tolerated if taken with food.
- If you forget a dose of allopurinol, you do not need to double up the next dose. Just continue taking allopurinol as scheduled.
- Discontinue allopurinol at the first appearance of a skin rash, painful urination, blood in the urine, eye irritation, or facial swelling, and seek urgent medical advice.
- Allopurinol is a maintenance treatment for gout or high uric acid levels so it should be taken regularly even once a gout attack has resolved. Other treatments (such as NSAIDs or colchicine) are us...
Response and Effectiveness
- Peak levels of allopurinol are reached within 1.5 hours and 4.5 hours for its active metabolite. Allopurinol may be taken once daily.
- Normal serum uric acid levels are normally achieved within one to three weeks.
- It may take two to six weeks before allopurinol effectively reduces gout attacks. It is not unusual to experience a gout attack in the first few weeks of allopurinol initiation.
- Peak levels of allopurinol are reached within 1.5 hours and 4.5 hours for its active metabolite. Allopurinol may be taken once daily.
- Normal serum uric acid levels are normally achieved within one to three weeks.
- It may take two to six weeks before allopurinol effectively reduces gout attacks. It is not unusual to experience a gout attack in the first few weeks of allopurinol initiation.
- In people with severe kidney disease, a dosage of 100 mg/day or 300mg twice a week may be sufficient to reduce high uric acid levels.
Interactions
- Medicines that interact with allopurinol may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with allopurinol. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions sh…
Further Information
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use allopurinol only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: June 23, 2021. Medical Disclai…
Medical uses
- Allopurinol is used to treat gout, high levels of uric acid in the body caused by certain cancer medications, and kidney stones. Allopurinol is in a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid may cause gout attacks or kidney stones. Allopurinol is u...
Treatment
- Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of allopurinol and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week.
Results
- It may take several months or longer before you feel the full benefit of allopurinol. Allopurinol may increase the number of gout attacks during the first few months that you take it, although it will eventually prevent attacks. Your doctor may prescribe another medication such as colchicine to prevent gout attacks for the first few months you take allopurinol. Continue to take allopurinol e…
Uses
- Allopurinol is also sometimes used to treat seizures, pain caused by pancreas disease, and certain infections. It is also sometimes used to improve survival after bypass surgery, to reduce ulcer relapses, and to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition. This medication may be prescribed fo…
Administration
- Drink at least eight glasses of water or other fluids each day while taking allopurinol unless directed to do otherwise by your doctor.
Risks
- Allopurinol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
Prevention
- Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, t…
Diagnosis
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to allopurinol.
Preparation
- It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.