Allopurinol Alphapharm (Allopurinol)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Allopurinol Alphapharm Used For?
Allopurinol Alphapharm contains the active ingredient allopurinol and belongs to a group of medicines called anti-uricaemic agents. It helps manage conditions caused by high levels of uric acid in your body.
Primary Uses
Allopurinol Alphapharm is used to treat gouty arthritis or gout (a condition of painful swollen joints caused by uric acid crystals), kidney stones, and rare conditions where high levels of uric acid occur in the blood (such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome).
How It Works
Allopurinol works by reducing the production of uric acid in your body, helping to prevent the formation of uric acid crystal deposits. It is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur, and will not help treat the pain during an acute gout attack.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Allopurinol Alphapharm is addictive.
How to Take Allopurinol Alphapharm
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your condition and other medicines you may be taking. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and take the medicine until they tell you to stop.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water, immediately after food to reduce stomach upset. Take at the same time each day for best results. The usual adult doses are: 100-200 mg per day for mild conditions, 300-600 mg per day for moderately severe conditions, and 700-900 mg per day for severe conditions. People over 65 and those with kidney/liver problems should start on the lowest possible dose. Children under 15 usually take 100-400 mg per day. 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 almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. If you’re unsure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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 diarrhoea
- dizziness, drowsiness, or unsteadiness when walking
- change in bowel habits
- headache
- change in taste sensation
- sleeplessness
- hair loss or change in hair colour
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- changes in vision
- tingling or numbness of hands or feet
- change in amount of urine passed or burning feeling while urinating
- blood in urine
- yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- generally feeling unwell or depressed
- frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- bleeding or bruising more easily
- angina or palpitations
- swelling of hands, ankles or legs
- asthma, wheezing or shortness of breath
- swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat causing difficulty breathing
- sudden or severe itching, skin flaking, skin rash or hives
- fainting, seizures or fits
- pain or tightness in chest
Important Warnings
Before taking Allopurinol Alphapharm, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Allopurinol Alphapharm
Do not take if you are allergic to allopurinol or any ingredients in the medicine, if you or an immediate family member has haemochromatosis and you’re taking iron salts, if you’re having an acute gout attack (unless advised by your doctor), or if the medicine is expired or damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems (including kidney stones), liver problems, high blood pressure, heart failure or other heart problems, conditions with abnormally high uric acid levels, cancer or tumours, thyroid problems, diabetes, epilepsy, or haemochromatosis. Also mention any allergies to medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Allopurinol Alphapharm during pregnancy. The medicine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby, so discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Skin Reactions: Stop taking this medicine immediately if you develop a skin rash or signs of an allergic reaction and contact your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Allopurinol Alphapharm and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking.
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems
- thiazide diuretics or fluid tablets
- azathioprine and ciclosporin (organ transplant rejection medicines)
- mercaptopurine monohydrate (leukaemia treatment)
- aspirin and other salicylates
- probenecid (gout treatment)
- warfarin and other anticoagulants
- chlorpropamide (diabetes medicine)
- phenytoin (epilepsy medicine)
- antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxicillin
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
- aluminium hydroxide (stomach acid treatment)
- adenine arabinoside (anti-viral medicine)
- cancer medicines (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin)
- didanosine (HIV treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Allopurinol Alphapharm may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Allopurinol Alphapharm. Combining the medicine with alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Alcohol may also increase the formation of uric acid. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Allopurinol Alphapharm affects you. The medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lack of coordination in some people. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the original bottle until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, or sunlight – do not store 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 one-and-a-half metres above the ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Allopurinol Alphapharm, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and dizziness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Allopurinol works by reducing uric acid production over time to prevent future gout attacks. It helps control your condition but does not cure it, which is why it’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well.
Yes, you should take Allopurinol Alphapharm immediately after food as this will lessen the chance of stomach upset.
No, there is no evidence that Allopurinol Alphapharm is addictive.
Do not stop taking Allopurinol Alphapharm without checking with your doctor. If you stop suddenly, your condition may worsen. If possible, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each day before stopping completely.
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Allopurinol Alphapharm. Combining the medicine with alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded, and alcohol may also increase uric acid formation.
No, do not take Allopurinol Alphapharm to treat an acute gout attack. It is used to prevent gout attacks, not treat them once they occur. Your doctor will prescribe another medicine like colchicine or an NSAID to relieve acute attacks.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. 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.