home > drugs a-z list > zyloprim (allopurinol) drug center > zyloprim (allopurinol) drug - patient avoid while taking

In this Article

• What is allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• What are the possible side effects of allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• What is the most important information I should know about allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• How should I take allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Zyloprim)?
• What happens if I overdose (Zyloprim)?
• What should I avoid while taking allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• What other drugs will affect allopurinol (Zyloprim)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Zyloprim)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Zyloprim)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of allopurinol is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Allopurinol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may worsen your condition.

Your doctor may recommend a special diet to help treat your condition. Follow your diet and medication routines very closely.

What other drugs will affect allopurinol (Zyloprim)?

Before taking allopurinol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• azathioprine (Imuran);
• chlorpropamide (Diabinese);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral);
• mercaptopurine (Purinethol);
• an antibiotic such as ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, others) or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Trimox, Wymox);
• a blood thinner such as dicoumarol or warfarin (Coumadin); or
• a diuretic (water pill).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with allopurinol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about allopurinol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2010 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.02. Revision date: 4/12/2009.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read,understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement,which can be accessed by clicking on this link.