Allopurinol belongs to a class of medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors. It works by lowering uric acid levels in your body. Allopurinol can therefore be used to treat and prevent gout, kidney stones, and high uric acid levels due to chemotherapy.
Allopurinol is taken by mouth as tablets.
If you are taking it for gout or high uric acid level, you should start with 100 mg daily. The dose is then adjusted according to the urate concentration in your blood. The maintenance dose is 100-300 daily for mild cases and may increase up to 600 mg daily for moderate to severe cases. A dose larger than 300 mg should be taken in divided doses. The maximum daily dose is 900 mg.
If you are taking it for high uric acid levels due to chemotherapy, you should take 600-800 mg daily in divided doses 2-3 days before the chemotherapy.
If you are taking it for recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones, you should take 200-300 mg daily in single or divided doses.
Common dosing schedule:
Allopurinol is usually taken after meals to prevent gastric irritation.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Allopurinol may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Allopurinol is an over-the-counter medicine that can be purchased without a prescription from any retail outlet in Hong Kong. This includes grocery stores, convenience stores, medicine shops, and pharmacies. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Allopurinol in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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