Allopurinol Tablets BP (Allopurinol)

Allopurinol Tablets BP 100mg (Allopurinol)

What Allopurinol 100mg tablets is used for

Allopurinol belongs to a group of medicines called enzyme inhibitors which is used for the long term prevention of gout, the prevention of kidney stones and the treatment of high levels of uric acid associated with tumours and their treatment, certain enzyme disorder in particular Lesch Nyhan syndrome.

The Tablets are only given to children with cancer especially leukaemia (cancer of the blood) and certain enzyme disorders (e.g. Lesch Nyhan disorders).

Before you take Allopurinol 100mg Tablets

Do not take Allopurinol 100mg Tablets If you are sensitive or allergic to allopurinol or any of the ingredients in the tablets.

Do not take Allopurinol tablets if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Allopurinol tablets

Take special care with Allopurinol 100mg tablets

Check with your doctor before taking Allopurinol 100mg tablets:

• If you have problems with your liver or kidneys. Your doctor may give you a lower dose or ask you to take it less often than each day. They will also monitor you more closely
• If you have heart problems or high blood pressure.
• If you are currently having an attack of gout.
• If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Allopurinol tablets.

Taking other medicines

Please inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription.

Before taking Allopurinol 100mg tablets, tell your doctor if you are already   taking any of the following:

• 6-mercaptopurine used to treat cancer of the blood cells.
• Anticoagulants (drugs to prevent blood clotting such as Warfarin).

Other products used to treat high levels of uric acid e.g. probenecid.

• Some drugs used to reduce excess water in the body (thiazide diuretics) ampicillin (antibiotic),
• aspirin
• theophylline.used for breathing problems
• medicines used for fits (epilepsy)
• didanosine.used to treat HIV infection
• medicines used to treat diabetes
• medicines used to reduce your immune response(immunosuppressant)
• medicines for heart problems or high blood pressure such as ‘ACE inhibitors’ or water tablets(diuretics)

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are planning to become pregnant, or are pregnant do not take Allopurinol 10Omg tablets an contact your doctor for further advice. If you are planning to breastfeed your baby ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Allopurinol 100mg tablets may cause drowsiness or affect your vision. If you experience these symptoms you should avoid driving or operating machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients

These tablets contain lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars then do not take these tablets until you have consulted with your doctor.

How to take Allopurinol 100 mg Tablets

Always take Allopurinol 100mg tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

For oral use only. Allopurinol 100mg Tablets should be swallowed, without chewing, with half a glassful of water during or after meals.

Adults:(Over 18 years)

The usual dose ranges from 100 to 900 mg each day. Initially 100 to 300mg per day taken as a single dose.

Children:(under 15 years)

The recommended dose is 10 to 20mg/kg body weight/day up to a maximum of 400mg daily.

Use in the elderly: (over 65 years)

The lowest dosage possible will be given as recommended by your doctor.

Use in patients with kidney damage:

The level and frequency of dosage should be recommended by your doctor. The dose may need to be decreased depending on blood uric acid levels due to kidney damage which mean it takes longer to excrete Allopurinol.

Use in patients on kidney dialysis:

Allopurinol and its by-products are removed by dialysis. If dialysis is done frequently 300 to 400mg of Allopurinol may be given after each dialysis with none in the interim.

The dose should be adjusted by checking blood uric acid and/or urinary uric acid levels at appropriate intervals which will be done by your doctor. It might take one to three weeks for blood and/or urinary uric acid to return to the desired levels.

If you take more Allopurinol 100mg Tablets than you should

If you or someone else swallow several of these tablets together, contact your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Always take the box, this leaflet and any tablets that are left over with you, if you can.

If you forget to take Allopurinol 100mg Tablets

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and carry on as before. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the forgotten dose and continue as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Allopurinol 100mg Tablets

Do not stop taking Allopurinol 10Omg tablets without first discussing it with your doctor. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines Allopurinol 100mg Tablets can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.

An allergic (hypersensitive) reaction may occur with symptoms such as skin rash, flaking skin, fever, boils or sore lips and mouth and in extreme cases hepatitis.

Very rarely signs may include sudden wheeziness, fluttering or tightness in the chest and collapse. In this case stop taking the tablets immediately and contact your doctor or hospital emergency department immediately.

If you experience any of the following, stop your tablets and tell your doctor as soon as possible:

• Joint pain or painful swelling in your groin, armpits or neck
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Liver or kidney problems
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting),occasionally with blood
• Bruising more easily than usual or you may develop a sore throat or other signs of an infection.
• High temperature
• Blood in your urine (haematuria)
• High levels of cholesterol in your blood (hyperlipidaemia)
• A general feeling of being unwell
• Weakness,numbness,unsteadiness on your feet, feeling unable to move
• muscles (paralysis) or loss of consciousness
• headache,dizziness,drowsiness or disturbance of your vision
• chest pain, high blood pressure or a slow pulse
• male infertility or erectile dysfunction
• enlargement of the breasts, in men as well as women
• a change in your normal bowel habit
• a change in taste
• cataracts
• hair loss or discolouration
• fits (convulsions)
• depression
• build up of fluid leading to swelling (oedema) particularly of your ankles
• feeling thirsty, tired and losing weight; these may be symptoms of diabetes. Your doctor may wish to measure the level of sugar in your blood to check if this is happening

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Allopurinol 100mg Tablets

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package and keep containers tightly closed. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date is stated on the label.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Further information

What Allopurinol 100mg Tablets contains

The active ingredient is Allopurinol.

The other substances are Lactose monohydrate, Maize Starch, Povidone K30,    Sodium Starch Glycollate and Magnesium Stearate (See Section 2 ‘Important information about some of the ingredients of Allopurinol 100mg tablets)’.

What Allopurinol 100mg Tablets looks like and contents of the pack

Allopurinol 100mg Tablets are white, round, biconvex tablets embossed with MAL100 on one side and plain on the reverse.

The product is available in containers of 1000, 500, 250, 100, 84, 70, 56, 42, 28, 21,15 and 14 tablets. They are also available in blister packs of 84, 70, 56, 42, 28, 21,15 and 14 tablets (not all pack sizes may be marketed).