Allopurinol injection

What is this medicine?

ALLOPURINOL (al oh PURE i nole) reduces the amount of uric acid the body makes during chemotherapy. Too much uric acid in the blood can cause damage to your kidneys.

How should I use this medicine?

The medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• joint pain

• muscle pain

• rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes

• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine, flank pain

• tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in taste

• diarrhea

• drowsiness

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach upset

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with the following medication:

• didanosine, ddI

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain antibiotics like amoxicillin, ampicillin

• certain medicines for cancer

• certain medicines for immunosuppression like azathioprine, cyclosporine, mercaptopurine

• chlorpropamide

• probenecid

• thiazide diuretics, like hydrochlorothiazide

• sulfinpyrazone

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to allopurinol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine. This will help to reduce the risk of getting gout or kidney stones.