Progout Viatris (Allopurinol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Progout Viatris Used For?
Progout Viatris contains allopurinol and is used to prevent gout attacks and treat conditions caused by high uric acid levels in your body.
Primary Uses
Progout Viatris treats gouty arthritis (gout), kidney stones, and rare conditions where high levels of uric acid occur in the blood (such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome).
How It Works
Progout Viatris works by reducing the production of uric acid in your body, helping to prevent the formation of uric acid crystal deposits that can cause gout attacks and kidney stones. It is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur.
Good to know: This medication helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well.
How to Take Progout Viatris
Take Progout Viatris exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water, preferably after meals to reduce stomach upset.
Dosage Instructions
The usual adult dose ranges from 100-200 mg daily for mild conditions, 300-600 mg daily for moderately severe conditions, and 700-900 mg daily for severe conditions. People over 65 and those with kidney or liver problems should start with the lowest possible dose. Children under 15 usually take 100-400 mg daily. Take at the same time each day, preferably after food. If your dose is more than 300 mg, your doctor may advise taking it twice daily (morning and night after meals).
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s less than 4 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your chance of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Stomach upsets including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Dizziness, drowsiness, or unsteadiness when walking
- Change in bowel habits
- Headache
- Change in taste sensation
- Sleeplessness
- Hair loss or change in hair color
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Changes in vision
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Changes in urination (amount, frequency, burning sensation)
- Blood in urine
- Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Generally feeling unwell or depressed
- Frequent infections (fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Angina or heart palpitations
- Swelling of hands, ankles, or legs
- Asthma, wheezing, or shortness of breath
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat causing breathing difficulty
- Sudden or severe itching, skin rash, or hives
- Fainting, seizures, or fits
- Chest pain or tightness
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Progout Viatris. Make sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Progout Viatris
Do not take if you are allergic to allopurinol or any ingredients in the medication. Do not take if you or an immediate family member has haemochromatosis (too much iron in the body) and you are taking iron salts. Do not use expired or damaged medication.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems (including kidney stones), liver problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, conditions with abnormally high uric acid levels, cancer or tumors, thyroid problems, diabetes, epilepsy, or allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes. Also inform your doctor if you are currently having a gout attack, as treatment should not be started until the attack has stopped.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Progout Viatris passes into breast milk and may affect your baby, so discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Allergic Reactions: Stop taking the medicine immediately and seek emergency medical help if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, hives, or muscle/joint pain.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Progout Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Blood pressure and heart medications
- Thiazide diuretics (water tablets)
- Mercaptopurine, azathioprine, or ciclosporin (immune system suppressants)
- Aspirin and other salicylates
- Probenecid (for gout or high uric acid)
- Warfarin and other blood thinners
- Chlorpropamide (for diabetes)
- Phenytoin (for epilepsy)
- Ampicillin and amoxicillin antibiotics
- Theophylline (for asthma)
- Aluminum hydroxide (for stomach acid)
- Adenine arabinoside (antiviral)
- Cancer medications (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin)
- Didanosine (for HIV)
Alcohol & Driving
Progout Viatris may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Take precautions and inform your doctor about alcohol consumption.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as this may affect your treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Progout Viatris may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lack of coordination in some people. Make sure you know how this medicine affects you before driving or using machinery. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep Progout Viatris in its original packaging in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – not in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Progout Viatris, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Progout Viatris works by gradually reducing uric acid production in your body. It’s used for long-term prevention of gout attacks rather than immediate treatment. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular tests.
Yes, you should take Progout Viatris immediately after food to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Take it at the same time each day, preferably after meals.
Do not stop taking Progout Viatris suddenly without checking with your doctor, as your condition may worsen. If possible, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose before stopping the medication completely.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as this may affect your treatment. Your doctor can advise you on whether it’s safe to consume alcohol while taking this medication.
Do not start taking Progout Viatris during an acute gout attack, as this may make the attack worse. Treatment should begin only after the attack has stopped. However, if you’re already taking it when an attack occurs, you can continue taking it.
You should drink at least 2 liters (8-10 glasses) of fluid each day while taking Progout Viatris. This helps reduce uric acid levels in your body and prevents kidney stones from forming.
If it’s less than 4 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.