What is allopurinol?
- Type of drug: xanthine oxidase inhibitor (reduces production of uric acid in the body)
- Use: gout prevention
- Dose: 300 mg once a day (100 mg in CKD)
- Side-effects: rash; bone marrow suppression (low haemoglobin, white cells and platelets)
- Monitor: FBC.
Note 1: start between attacks of gout. Other treatments (such as NSAIDs or colchicine) are usually used during an acute gout attack.
Note 2: do NOT use allopurinol with azathioprine (immunosuppressant drug that is used after transplants). It can lead to fatal bone marrow suppression.
Other resources
CKD drug side-effects
CKD patient information (CKD Explained 30+ core articles)
Allopurinol (BNF)
Allopurinol: 7 things to know
Review article: Qurie, 2023
Last Reviewed on 5 May 2024