1. Allopurinol acts to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. It is mainly used to prevent gout and kidney stones.
2. The tablets should be taken with or after food. Try to take them with a glass of water and at the same time each day.
3. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first. If you suddenly stop, your symptoms could come back.
4. It is important to drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol) while you are taking these tablets.
5. Like all medicines, allopurinol can have some unwanted effects. Rashes are the most common side effect. If you get an unusual skin rash, stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor straight away.
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important points. Cards for sale: Sets of the first 25 "tips" are now available for sale as 12 x 15cm cards, supplied with a ring binder, at a cost of £9.95. Orders should be sent to Pharmacy Practice Consultants, 12 Firle Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0NZ, with cheques payable to Pharmacy Practice Consultants.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone