Alopurinol

About allopurinol

Gota causes attacks of painful inflammation in one or more of your joints. It is caused by a build-up of a naturally occurring chemical in your blood, called uric acid (urate). From time to time, the level of uric acid in your blood may become too high and tiny grit-like crystals may form, which typically collect in your joints and tendons. The crystals irritate the tissues of the joint to cause inflammation, swelling, and pain.

If you have had a number of gout attacks, your doctor will advise that you take a medicine every day to help prevent more attacks from occurring. Allopurinol is the medicine which is most commonly prescribed for this. It helps to prevent gout attacks by reducing the levels of uric acid in your blood. As it is not a painkiller, it does not have any effect during a gout attack, so you will still need to take pain relief should you have any further attacks. In this case, your doctor will prescribe either an analgésico antiinflamatorio o colchicine for you to take alongside allopurinol.

Allopurinol can also help prevent uric acid levels building up in some other conditions too. These include some types of cálculos renales, and during some treatments for cancer. It works in these conditions by lowering the levels of uric acid in blood.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking allopurinol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si estás embarazada o amamantando.

• Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tu hígado, o algún problema con el funcionamiento de tus riñones.

• If you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland.

• Si está tomando o usando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez has tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about allopurinol and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• If you have recently had a gout attack, make sure your symptoms have completely gone before you start taking allopurinol tablets.

• Take allopurinol exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual starting dose is one tablet (100 mg) each day, although this may be increased as you go on. Your dose will be adjusted in line with how much uric acid is in your blood.

• Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water, preferably just after a meal. It's also important that you have plenty to drink throughout the day. Aim to drink 2-3 litres of fluid each day.

• You can take allopurinol at whatever time of day you find easiest to remember; however try to take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to take it regularly.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela tan pronto como lo recuerde. Si no lo recuerda hasta el día siguiente, omita la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis al mismo tiempo para compensar una dosis perdida.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Your doctor will want you to have a blood test to check that the level of uric acid has come down. This is often done a month or so after starting allopurinol.

• Remember, allopurinol should be taken every day to prevent a gout attack. It can take 2-3 months to become fully effective. It does not have any effect during a gout attack, although you should continue to take it regularly every day even if this happens.

• During the first few weeks of taking allopurinol, your blood levels of uric acid may rise for a short while before they fall. This can cause a gout attack. Your doctor will prescribe an anti-inflammatory treatment or colchicine tablets for you to take alongside allopurinol during this time.

• Treatment with allopurinol is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise by a doctor.

• Hay una serie de cambios en el estilo de vida que puedes hacer para ayudar a reducir el riesgo de sufrir un ataque de gota. Estos incluyen perder peso (si tienes sobrepeso), llevar una dieta saludable y no consumir mucho alcohol ni refrescos azucarados. Tu médico te aconsejará sobre los cambios que podrían beneficiarte.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with allopurinol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a las tabletas, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.