Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - PMS-Allopurinol
What is pms-ALLOPURINOL used for?
pms-ALLOPURINOL is used for the:
- treatment of gout, a painful form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood;
- treatment of kidney problems due to high uric acid levels;
- treatment or prevention of uric acid build-up in tissues or kidneys in patients receiving certain cancer treatments (which may cause high levels of uric acid in the blood);
- prevention of kidney stones in patients with high levels of uric acid in the blood or urine.
How does pms-ALLOPURINOL work?
pms-ALLOPURINOL works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body.
What are the ingredients in pms-ALLOPURINOL?
Medicinal ingredients: allopurinol
Non-medicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone and FD & C Yellow #6 Lake 40% (dye, in 200 mg and 300 mg tablets only).
pms-ALLOPURINOL comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg
Do not use pms-ALLOPURINOL:
- you are allergic to any of the ingredients in pms-ALLOPURINOL;
you are breastfeeding;
- you are under the age of 18 (except in children with a high level of uric acid in the blood due to cancer or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome).
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take pms-ALLOPURINOL. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have kidney problems;
- have liver problems;
- have heart disease;
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Other warnings you should know about:
Serious skin and allergic reactions: Some serious skin and allergic reactions such as rash, skin reddening, pain, swelling or blistering of lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling and flu-like symptoms have been reported in patients taking pms-ALLOPURINOL. If you experience skin reactions of any kind (e.g., skin rash), stop taking pms-ALLOPURINOL immediately and contact your physician. Some skin reactions could lead to life-threatening allergic reactions.
pms-ALLOPURINOL should not be started until a gout attack has completely settled down.
In new patients, pms-ALLOPURINOL may cause gout attacks at the start of treatment.
pms-ALLOPURINOL may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or use machines until you know how pms-ALLOPURINOL affects you.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with pms-ALLOPURINOL:
- mercaptopurine - a drug used to treat leukemia;
- azathioprine - a drug that reduces the strength of the immune system (immunosuppressant);
- uricosurics (e.g., probenecid) - drugs that help remove uric acid from the body through the urine;
- salicylates (e.g., Aspirin) - anti-inflammatory drugs;
- coumarin anticoagulants (e.g., dicumarol) - a type of blood-thinner;
- chlorpropamide - a drug used to control blood-sugar levels;
- vidarabine - an anti-viral drug;
- phenytoin - a drug used to control seizures;
- theophylline - a drug used to treat certain breathing problems;
- ampicillin/amoxicillin - types of antibiotics;
- cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, bleomycin, procarbazine and mechloroethamine - drugs used to treat cancer; and
- cyclosporine - a drug used to treat autoimmune conditions or to prevent organ rejection after transplantation.
How to take pms-ALLOPURINOL:
Follow the directions given to you by your healthcare professional.
Take pms-ALLOPURINOL:
- by mouth;
with food;
- with plenty of fluids during treatment.
Usual dose:
Your dose will depend on your medical condition and the recommendations of your healthcare professional. If you take 300 mg or less of pms-ALLOPURINOL each day, you may take it as a
single dose, once a day. If you take more than 300 mg of pms-ALLOPURINOL each day, it should be divided in 2 or 3 doses per day (of not more than 300 mg per dose). Your dose may be adjusted depending on how well pms-ALLOPURINOL is working.
Overdose:
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using pms-ALLOPURINOL?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking pms-ALLOPURINOL. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- change in normal bowel habits;
- changes in taste sensation;
- mouth ulcers;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- drowsiness;
- unsteadiness when walking.
Your doctor will perform regular kidney and liver function tests when you are taking pms-ALLOPURINOL.
pms-ALLOPURINOL may cause abnormal blood test results. Your doctor will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results
If you think you have taken too much pms-ALLOPURINOL, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Skin reactions: itchy or flaky skin, reddening of skin, raised skin rash | √ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rash, skin reddening, pain, swelling or blistering of lips, eyes or mouth, hives, skin peeling, flu-like symptoms | √ | ||
| Lymphadenopathy (swollen glands): swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin | √ | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
| Vomiting blood | √ | ||
Liver problems: yellowing of the skin and the whites of eyes, nausea and vomiting, a general sense of feeling unwell, abdominal pain and swelling, a tendency to bruise and bleed easily and mental disorientation or confusion | √ | ||
| Kidney problems: any change in the amount, frequency or colour of urine. | √ | ||
| Steatorrhea (excessive fat in stool): pale, bulky, foul-smelling stool | √ | ||
| UNKNOWN | |||
| Depression | √ | ||
| Infertility | √ | ||
| Changes in vision | √ | ||
| Feeling of weakness, pain, numbness, prickling or tingling in hands or feet | √ | ||
| Impotence | √ | ||
| Too much sugar in the blood (diabetes) | √ | ||
| Red, swollen, painful bumps under the skin (boils) | √ | ||
| Chest pain | √ | ||
| High blood pressure | √ | ||
| Slow heart beat | √ | ||
| Buildup of fluid leading to swelling in the arms or legs | √ | ||
| Hair loss | √ | ||
| Discoloration of hair | √ | ||
| Enlarged breasts in men | √ |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Storage:
Store at room temperature (15 -30°C). Preserve in well-closed containers
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about pms-ALLOPURINOL:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp) the manufacturer’s website (https://www.pharmascience.com) or by calling 1-888-550-6060.
Last Prepared: January 8, 2018
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health‐canada/services/drugs‐health‐products/medeffect‐canada/adversereactionreporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.