Allopurinol is a medication that lowers elevated blood uric acid levels. It is used mainly to prevent gout attacks, certain types of kidney stones, and high uric acid complications that can follow chemotherapy. The drug is a structural isomer of hypoxanthine and works by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which blocks the body's production of uric acid, and it can be taken by mouth or given intravenously. Allopurinol received United States approval in 1966, is now available as a generic drug, and appears on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Facts
Drug ClassXanthine oxidase inhibitor 1 Mechanism of ActionInhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase, blocking uric acid production 1 Approved UsePrevents gout and specific types of kidney stones 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskRare but potentially fatal skin reactions including DRESS, Stevens-Johnson syndrome 1 Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountM: Musculo-Skeletal System 2 Route of Administration WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account Sources
1. Allopurinol (Wikipedia)
Lead section, paragraph 3
Allopurinol is in the xanthine oxidase inhibitor family of medications
Mechanism of action
is an inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase
Lead section, paragraph 1
specifically used to prevent gout, prevent specific types of kidney stones
Lead section, paragraph 4
approved for medical use in the United States in 1966
Side effects
Allopurinol has rare but potentially fatal adverse effects involving the skin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allopurinol, lead section
It is specifically used to prevent gout, prevent specific types of kidney stones and for the high uric acid levels that can occur with chemotherapy. It is taken orally (by mouth) or intravenously (injected into a vein).
- Regulatory approval status
View the Source2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code MQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code M
Musculo-skeletal system
3. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
4. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines used to treat gout sectionQuote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines used to treat gout section
Allopurinol
Frequently Asked Questions
What is allopurinol used for?
It lowers uric acid to prevent gout and certain kidney stones.
Allopurinol is a medication used to decrease high blood uric acid levels. It is specifically used to prevent gout, prevent specific types of kidney stones and for the high uric acid levels that can occur with chemotherapy. It is taken orally or intravenously. It is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor.
What are the serious risks of allopurinol, and what is the HLA-B*5801 allele?
Rare severe skin reactions occur, and the HLA-B*5801 allele is a genetic marker for them.
Allopurinol has rare but potentially fatal adverse effects involving the skin, including a hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The HLA-B*5801 allele is a genetic marker for allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions. The American College of Rheumatology recommends screening for it in high-risk populations. This record describes what the sources state and is not medical advice.
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