Allopurinol is a drug that belongs to the group of inhibitors xanthine oxidase.
This medicine acts by blocking xanthine oxidase and prevents creation of uric acid. Accumulation of uric acid could cause a disease called gout. Precisely because it reduces creation of uric acid, It is used in the treatment of gout and in all conditions where there is an increased level of uric acid in the organism.
Uric acid increases the risk of kidney stone formation, therefore, this drug is used also to reduce kidney stone formation.
Precautions
This medicament should not, or may be used, only with extra precautions in the following conditions:
•If you are allergic to Allopurinol or some other similar drugs. Symptoms of an allergy include: rash, redness, swelling of the face, swelling of the tongue , difficult breathing, analeptical shock may be caused by an allergy, resulting in death,
•Kidney or liver disorders.
•Diabetes.
•If you have heart disorders (increased blood pressure, angina pectoris, heart insufficiency, and others).
Caution is warranted if you are under chemotherapy.
Allopurinol could cause agranulucytosis (reduced number of leucocytes). In such a case, your organism is susceptible to infections. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms:
•Cough, fiver, sore throat Nose leak. Avoid being near people who have a cold or any other infection.
It should not be used concomitant with alcoholic beverages, because the risk of side effects is increased.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
According to the US Agency for Food and Drug Administration, Allopurinol belongs to the group C (FDA: Group C). This means that there are animal studies that have shown that this medicine is not harmful to the fetus, but there are no studies on humans. It should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the child.
This medicine is passed from mother's blood into the milk and could harm your baby. Avoid breastfeeding while under Allopurinol therapy.

Use and Dose
Usual initial dose is Allopurinol 100 mg once a day. This dose can subsequently be increased up to 200-300 mg once a day.
If you are taking this drug in order to prevent formation of kidney stones, you should drink at least 9 glasses of water during the day.
Allopurinol should be taken with glass of water.
Do not use alcohol under any circumstances while using this drug.
Use with other medicines (interactions)
Allopurinol should not, or may be used, only with extra precautions with the following medications:
•Oral anticoagulants used in the treatment of thrombosis, such as:
owarfarin
oAcenocoumarol, Concomitant use of Allopurinol with these medications increases the risk of bleeding.
•Cyclosporine used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases
•Medications used in the treatment of infections, so called antibiotics, such as penicillin
•Medications used in the treatment of increased blood pressure, such as:
ofurosemide
ospironolactone,
oHydrochlorothiazide and others.
Tell your doctor about all medications and herbal preparations you are using.
Allopurinol side effect
Allopurinol may cause the following side effects:
1.nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache, loss of appetite, loss of body weight, headache, sleepiness, kidney damage manifested as disorder and painful urinating, flu-like symptoms (cough, fiver, sore throat, nose leak) and allergy.
Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects.
If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.