Not medical advice. This site is general information only. In an emergency call your local emergency number. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
Allopurinol
About Allopurinol
A medication that lowers uric acid levels. Allopurinol or Zyloprim treats gout and prevents kidney stones in patients with high uric acid. It works by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that produces uric acid. Allopurinol is a long term preventive therapy rather than a treatment for acute gout attacks. Starting allopurinol during an acute attack was previously avoided but is now supported by some guidelines. The drug can cause a rare but serious skin reaction called Stevens Johnson syndrome, particularly in patients with HLA B5801.
Related Medications
Penicillin
Discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 when mold contaminated his petri dish. Penicillin revolutionized medic...
Amoxicillin
A semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic that is widely prescribed for children and adults. Amoxicillin is absorb...
Azithromycin
A macrolide antibiotic with a long half life that permits infrequent dosing and short treatment courses. The Z...
Doxycycline
A tetracycline antibiotic used for a remarkably wide range of conditions. Doxycycline treats acne, Lyme diseas...