Get Informed: Allopurinol
Active Ingredient(s)
Allopurinol
What does it do?
This product is primarily used in the treatment of gout. It is also used to lower uric acid levels in patients with cancer, and prevent recurrence of particular kinds of kidney stones. It blocks an important enzyme in the production of uric acid.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 11:30 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Allopurinol
- Zyloprim
- Tylonic
- Zyloric
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 19 Aug 1966
- Est US Patients*
- 817,800
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Allopurinol or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Allopurinol Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Allopurinol interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Allopurinol used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 5,400 patients that use Allopurinol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Gout | 92% | 
|
| Kidney Stones | 13% |
|
How well does Allopurinol work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 5,400 users taking Allopurinol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 77%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Allopurinol outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Allopurinol.
Common Side Effects of Allopurinol
iGuard regularly polls our more than 5,400 users taking Allopurinol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
11% of patients experience side-effects on Allopurinol
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Allopurinol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Allergic Reaction, Constipation, Drowsiness, Itch/Rash, Swelling/Edema
Global Patient Feedback for Allopurinol ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
OK. Is it yes or no on weight gain? didn't help that I quit smoking about the same time. Gout flars are down but weight is up 50 lbs.
61 male
61 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-16 11:07:14
Question/Comment:
when taking allopurinol and when consuming alcohol is there any side effects. And I mean a lot of alcohol. Is there any changes in behavior, or black outs.
26 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-02 02:12:39
iGuard Answer/Reply:
In general, consuming large amounts of alcohol is known to cause changes in behavior and sometimes causes blackouts. Allopurinol does not affect how your body reacts to alcohol. However, consuming large quantities of alcohol can result in decreased effects of allopurinol. It is best to avoid drinking alcohol when you are taking medicines.
Posted: 2009-11-08 22:30:52
Question/Comment:
after taking allopurinol for 1 month, I had severe gout attacks in my foot and even my jaw! has anyone ever heard of this happening?
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-19 19:58:38
Question/Comment:
Can long term use of allopurinol ,( 150mg daily for about 3.5 years ), cause erectile dysfunction.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-12 19:50:09
Question/Comment:
Can non-alcoholic beer be consumed while taking allopurinol?
64 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-08 18:40:00
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The iGuard drug interaction system does not list an interaction between allopurinol and beer or non-alcoholic beer. However, beer is thought to increase the risk of gout attacks because it is high in purines. During digestion, purines break down to form uric acid. Normally, uric acid leaves the body through the urine. If the kidneys are unable to process all of the uric acid, levels in the blood become too high and may then form crystal deposits in the joints. These deposits are the cause of gout. You may be able to ward off gout attacks by avoiding drinking large amounts of alcohol and choosing your drink wisely. Wines are less likely to cause problems with gout.
Non-alcoholic beers are often brewed like alcoholic beers but the alcohol is removed at the end of the process. Our resources did not have any information about the purine content of non-alcoholic beer so it is best to avoid drinking large amounts of non-alcoholic beer as well.
Posted: 2009-08-09 22:34:12
Answer/Reply:
yes
44 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-23 11:38:15
Answer/Reply:
I've been on 300mgs of Allopurinol for over 25 years. My liver functions are just fine as of last week so yes, I'd say it's fine to have a drink or two or a couple glasses of wine. I've been doing it and continue to enjoy them in moderation. It's a gout thing that I inherited from my dad.
I hope this helps you. Don't sweat it. Allopurinol is a good medication. I haven't had an attack since I went on the Atkin's diet and over did it with the protiens. Atkin's diet is really good for us. I lost a lot of weight, felt great, and as long as you can get off sugar in all forms it will work for you.Just keep in mind that too much is too much. Eat the eggs, but ditch the yolks.
Eric
54 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-27 23:34:19
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
54
Patient Comments about
Allopurinol