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" What is it used for?  The long-term management of gout, to control uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks. Preventing certain types of kidney stones, caused by a build-up of uric acid. Treating certain enzyme disorders that result in overproduction of uric acid, for example Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Reducing the formation of uric acid when a build-up is predictable, for example when treating certain types of cancer.   How does it work? Zyloric tablets contain the active ingredient allopurinol, which is a type of medicine called a xanthine-oxidase inhibitor. Allopurinol tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine. Allopurinol is used to lower levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is produced by an enzyme in the body called xanthine oxidase. Allopurinol inhibits the action of this enzyme and as a result lowers uric acid levels.  The main use of allopurinol is in preventing attacks of gout, which occur as a result of a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. It is these cystals that cause the characteristic pain and inflammation of gout. By lowering the production of uric acid, flare-ups of gout can be prevented.  Allopurinol is used for the long term prevention of gout and not for immediate treatment of gout flare-ups. Other medicines are used for the rapid relief of gout symptoms.  A build up of uric acid is also responsible for certain types of kidney disease and some types of kidney stone. In the same way that allopurinol prevents gout, it can also prevent the formation of new kidney stones. (NB There are various different types of kidney stones, and allopurinol is only effective against certain types.) Certain types of cancer and treatments for cancer can raise uric acid levels. As this could potentially cause kidney problems, allopurinol is also sometimes used to prevent this.   How do I take it?  The dose prescribed and how often to take this medicine will depend on the condition being treated. It is important to follow the instructions given by your doctor. These will be printed on the dispensing label that your pharmacist has put on the packet of medicine. If you are unsure about anything ask your pharmacist for advice. Allopurinol tablets should be swallowed with a full glass of water. They should preferably be taken with or just after food. If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. In this case just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. It is important to keep taking this medicine regularly every day unless your doctor tells you to stop.  Treatment with allopurinol should not be started during an acute attack of gout, as it could initially worsen the attack. It should not be started until the attack has completely subsided.  When you first start taking this medicine for gout your doctor should normally prescribe you a suitable anti-inflammatory medicine, or colchicine, for at least the first month of treatment (usually the first three months), as allopurinol may cause an attack of gout in the early stages of treatment. If you do get a new attack of gout after you have started treatment with allopurinol you should keep taking your allopurinol while the attack is treated with a suitable anti-inflammatory medicine. This is because the allopurinol will still be working to lower uric acid. Over time, your attacks will become less frequent and less painful as long as you continue to take the allopurinol every day.   Warning!  It is important to drink plenty of fluids (at least two to three litres a day) while you are taking this medicine. This medicine may rarely cause serious allergic reactions, including serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. People at increased risk appear to include those with kidney or liver problems. You should stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor straight away if you get any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine, as they could be signs of an allergic reaction: a rash, itching, nodules, blistering, ulceration or peeling affecting the skin, inside of the mouth or genitals; eye irritation; swelling of the face or limbs; fever; pain in your joints; swollen glands; difficulty breathing; seizures or collapse. If your doctor concludes you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine you should not take it again.   Not to be used in  People who have previously had an allergic reaction to allopurinol. Zyloric tablets contain lactose and should not be taken by people with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.  This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.   Use with caution in  Elderly people. People with kidney disease or reduced kidney function. People with reduced liver function.   Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.   Harmful effects have not been reported when this medicine is used during pregnancy. However, as its safety has not been fully established it should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if there is no safer alternative and the disease carries a risk for the mother or developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor if you think you could be pregnant or want to plan a pregnancy while taking this medicine. This medicine passes into breast milk. It is unlikely to be harmful to a nursing infant, however the baby should be monitored for allergic reactions such as a rash (see above). Seek further medical advice from your doctor.   Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)  Skin rash. See the warning section above. If you get a rash you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor. If the rash is mild your doctor may say that you can start taking the medicine again with a lower dose. However, if you start treatment again and the rash comes back, the medicine should be permanently stopped.    Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people)  Nausea and vomiting. This can usually be avoided by taking the medicine after a meal. Hypersensitivity reactions.   Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people)  Serious allergic reactions, including skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. See the warning section above. Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).   Very rare (affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people)  Headache. Sleepiness. Spinning sensation (vertigo). Feeling weak or generally unwell. Fever (high temperature). Change in sense of taste. Depression. Nerve problems, causing weakness, numbness or pins and needles sensations. Unsteadiness when walking. Visual problems such as cataracts or macular disorders. Blood in the urine. Blood disorders, such as reduced numbers of white or red blood cells or platelets in the blood. Raised levels of fats such as cholesterol in the blood. Chest pain (angina) or slow heart rate (bradycardia). High blood pressure (hypertension). Fluid retention, causing swelling (oedema). Diabetes. Change in hair colour or hair loss. Erectile dysfunction or infertility in men. Enlargement of the breasts (gynaecomastia). Severe allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, tongue and throat (angioedema) or anaphylactic shock.  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.   How can this medicine affect other medicines? It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to make sure that the combination is safe. There is an increased chance of getting a skin rash if you take the antibiotics amoxicillin or ampicillin while you are taking allopurinol. Allopurinol may enhance the effects of anti-blood-clotting medicines (anticoagulants) such as warfarin in some people. For this reason, all people taking coumarin anticoagulants such as warfarin should have their blood clotting time (INR) monitored when starting treatment with allopurinol and after any dose increases. Allopurinol may increase the blood level of theophylline. If you are taking theophylline or aminophylline your doctor may want to monitor your theophylline blood level when you start treatment with allopurinol or if your dose is increased. High doses of allopurinol may gradually increase the blood level of carbamazepine. If you are taking carbamazepine with allopurinol you should let your doctor know if you start to notice any new or increased side effects. Allopurinol increases the effects and toxicity of azathioprine and mercaptopurine. A lower than normal dose of these medicines is necessary if they are taken with allopurinol. Allopurinol may slow down the removal of the chemotherapy medicine vidarabine from the body and so may increase the risk of its side effects. Allopurinol may decrease the action of the chemotherapy medicine capecitabine and so is not recommended for people having this treatment. Allopurinol may increase the blood level of ciclosporin, which could increase the risk of side effects on the kidneys. Allopurinol increases the blood level of didanosine and is not recommended for people taking this medicine.   Other medicines containing the same active ingredient  Allopurinol tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.  Last updated 10.06.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/aches-and-pains/a7806/zyloric-allopurinol/>