Allopurinol

What is Allopurinol?

Allopurinol is a treatment for gout and kidney stones. It comes as a tablet which you’ll usually take on a daily basis. Because it can sometimes take a while for you to notice the effects of Allopurinol, you might be prescribed it alongside other medications that can treat your symptoms in the short term.

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes the soft tissue in your joints to become painful and inflamed. It happens when your body fails to excrete enough uric acid or urate, which is a waste product that can build up in your body.

This build up can cause small sodium urate crystals to form and cluster around the spaces between your joints. The inflammation starts when the crystals form an expanding lump, called tophi. This can impede your bone and cartilage, and can lead to lasting joint damage if it’s left untreated.

How does Allopurinol work?

Allopurinol works by slowing down the production and build-up of uric acid, and it’s the build-up of this acid on your joints that causes the symptoms of gout. Kidney stones are also caused by a buildup of uric acid, so it helps to stop this, too.

It works by reducing the amount of urates in your blood. Fewer urates mean a lower risk of sodium urate crystals forming. This same process is seen throughout the group of medicines called xanthine-oxidase inhibitors.

What doses of Allopurinol are there?

There are two doses of Allopurinol available: 100mg and 300mg. You’ll usually start off on the lower dose, and move up to the 300mg one if it’s not helping your symptoms as you’d liked.

How to take Allopurinol

You should always take your treatment as recommended by your prescriber. If you have any concerns during the course of your treatment then you can always refer to the patient safety leaflet for further advice. The recommended way to take this treatment is as follows:

• take the tablet at any time of the day (but take it at the same time each day for consistency)
• swallow the tablet whole with water (preferably after you’ve eaten)

If you are taking the higher dose of Allopurinol then you might need to split your dose in two. This can be one in the morning and once at night.

How long does it take Allopurinol to work?

The treatment should start to work straight away. But it might be a little while before you feel any positive effects. This is because Allopurinol slows down the production of uric acid in the body, and doesn't eliminate the crystals that have already formed between your joints. Slowing down the production of this acid allows your body to slowly clear away the existing crystals, but this can take a few weeks.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Allopurinol?

If you’re taking the treatment once a day, then just take it when you remember. If you’re taking it twice a day and you forget, then just skip your dose and continue as normal. The important thing is that you don’t take twice the amount to make up for a missed dose. This can be dangerous for your health. If you’ve taken too much Allopurinol and you notice some unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, stomach pains or headaches, then you should seek immediate medical attention.