Guide To Allopurinol

Potential Side Effects

During treatment with allopurinol, patients could experience side effects. Drowsiness, skin rashes, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the most frequently reported side effects of this medication. Patients may notice an upset stomach or a change in their sense of taste. The medicine may cause liver function tests to be abnormal. Individuals who use this medication should let their doctor know if they experience severe or persistent diarrhea, drowsiness, or upset stomach. They should also contact their doctor if they develop a skin rash, including a mild one.

Less commonly, patients may develop numbness and tingling sensations. Urinary problems may also occur in rare cases. For example, patients could have painful urination or decreased or absent urinary output. They may also see blood in their urine. Liver problems may develop during treatment. Patients should watch for unintentional weight loss, stomach pain, itching, fever, chills, and loss of appetite. They must report these symptoms should be reported to their doctor immediately. Patients should seek urgent medical attention for urinary side effects as well.

Precautions To Remember

Before prescribing allopurinol, doctors need to ensure that it is safe for the patient's overall health. Patients should let their medical team know if they have any history of liver or kidney disease. They must also do this for a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure. This medication may not be safe for individuals with a history of these conditions. Additionally, patients should inform their doctor if they are currently undergoing chemotherapy before taking this medication. Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding will need to ask their doctor first as well. This is because it may be unsafe for them to take this medication. Patients on this medicine need to avoid alcohol consumption. Since this medication could impair reaction time and thinking, patients are advised to exercise caution while driving or doing activities that require mental alertness.

This medication could cause decreases in white blood cell counts, and this may increase the patient's risk of bleeding after an injury. Individuals with low white blood cell counts may experience more frequent infections. Doctors may recommend frequent blood tests to monitor the patient's white blood cell counts. The patient may need to have regular follow-up appointments when they are on this medication. Allopurinol can be taken with or without food. However, they should take it with a full glass of water to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. Patients should drink sixty-four to eighty ounces of water per day.