Chemmart Allopurinol 300mg Tablets (Pack of 60)

Chemmart Allopurinol Tablets

Allopurinol (al-oe-PUR-in-ol)
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Allopurinol tablets.

It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor or pharmacist has weighed the risks of you taking allopurinol tablets against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Allopurinol Tablets are used for

Allopurinol tablets reduce the formation and accumulation of uric acid in the body. Allopurinol tablets are used for prevention of gout and gouty arthritis. They are not used to treat an attack of gout.

Allopurinol tablets are also used to relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation due to the following conditions:

  • gouty arthritis or gout
  • hardened or immobilised joints (tophi), particularly the knuckles
  • certain types of kidney stones
  • increased uric acid levels following some anti-cancer treatments
  • Lesch-Nyhan syndrome in children.
  • Although allopurinol tablets are used to treat the symptoms of these conditions, they will not cure them.

    Your doctor may have prescribed allopurinol tablets for another reason.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why allopurinol tablets have been prescribed for you.

    There is no evidence that allopurinol tablets are addictive.

    This medicine is available only with a doctor`s prescription.

    Before you take Allopurinol Tablets

    When you must not take it

    Do not take allopurinol tablets if you have an allergy to allopurinol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

    Symptoms of an allergic reaction to allopurinol tablets may include:

  • shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
  • rash, itching or hives on the skin.
  • Do not take allopurinol tablets if you or a member of your immediate family has been diagnosed with haemochromatosis (a disease involving too much iron in the body) and you are taking iron salts.

    Do not take allopurinol tablets if you are having an acute attack of gout.

    Treatment with allopurinol tablets should not be started until an acute attack of gout is over.

    Your doctor may wish to prescribe another medicine to relieve the acute attack.

    Do not take allopurinol tablets after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.

    If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

    Do not take allopurinol tablets if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or if the tablets are damaged or discoloured.

    If you are not sure whether you should start taking allopurinol tablets, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

    Before you start to take it

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:

  • any other medicines
  • any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

  • liver or kidney problems
  • high blood pressure
  • heart problems
  • kidney stones
  • swelling of the feet or ankles
  • diabetes mellitus
  • asthma.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you are already taking allopurinol tablets when an acute attack of gout occurs.

    Do not take allopurinol tablets if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

    Allopurinol tablets are not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

    Do not take allopurinol tablets if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

    Allopurinol tablets are not recommended if you are breast-feeding. Allopurinol passes into breast milk and therefore there is a possibility that the breast-fed baby may be affected.

    If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking allopurinol tablets.

    Taking other medicines

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

    Some medicines and allopurinol tablets may interfere with each other. These include:

  • some medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems
  • thiazide diuretics (certain fluid tablets)
  • mercaptopurine, used to treat certain forms of cancer
  • aspirin
  • probenicid, used to treat gout
  • chlorpropamide, a medicine used to treat diabetes
  • phenytoin, used to treat epilepsy
  • certain antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin
  • theophylline, used to treat asthma
  • azathioprine or cyclosporin, used to suppress the immune system
  • vidarabine, used to treat herpes infections
  • warfarin, used to help prevent blood clots.
  • These medicines may be affected by allopurinol or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.

    Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking allopurinol tablets.

    Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about the medicines you are taking.

    How to take Allopurinol Tablets

    How much to take

    This will depend on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

    The usual adult dose of allopurinol tablets is:

  • 100 – 200mg per day for mild conditions
  • 300 – 600mg per day for moderately severe conditions
  • 700 – 900mg per day for severe conditions.
  • The usual dose range of allopurinol tablets for children under 15 years of age is 100 – 400mg per day.

    Carefully follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

    They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

    If you do not understand the instructions on the packaging, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

    How to take it

    Swallow allopurinol tablets with a full glass of water.

    When to take it

    Take your allopurinol tablets after a meal, preferably at the same time each day.

    Taking your tablets at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets.

    Allopurinol tablets are usually taken once daily. However if your dose is more than 300mg, your doctor may advise you to take it morning and night after breakfast and dinner for a twice daily dosage.

    If you forget to take it

    If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

    Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

    Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

    This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

    If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

    If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

  • How long to take it

    Allopurinol tablets help control your condition, but do not cure it.

    Take allopurinol tablets every day for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

    If you take too much (overdose)

    Immediately telephone your doctor or pharmacist or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too many allopurinol tablets. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

    You may need urgent medical attention.

    If you take too many allopurinol tablets, you may feel some or all of the following:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • dizziness.
  • While you are taking Allopurinol Tablets

    Things you must do

    You should drink at least two litres of fluid each day.

    This will assist in reducing the uric acid levels in your body.

    You must stop taking allopurinol immediately if a skin rash or signs of an allergic reaction occur.
    Tell your doctor immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction.

    The signs of an allergic reaction are listed at the beginning of this leaflet.

    Tell your doctor immediately if you have an acute attack of gout while you are taking allopurinol tablets.

    Your doctor may wish to prescribe another medicine to relieve the acute attack.

    Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking allopurinol tablets.

    Tell any other doctors, pharmacists or dentists who are treating you that you are taking allopurinol.

    If you are about to have surgery, tell the surgeon, dentist or doctor that you are taking allopurinol.

    If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking allopurinol.

    Things you must not do

    Do not take allopurinol tablets to treat an acute attack of gout.

    Do not give allopurinol tablets to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

    Do not take allopurinol tablets to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

    Do not stop taking allopurinol tablets, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

    Things to be careful of

    Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how allopurinol tablets affect you.

    As with other medicines, allopurinol tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness or lack of co-ordination in some people. Make sure you know how you react to allopurinol tablets before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy. If this occurs do not drive.

    Side effects

  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking allopurinol tablets.
  • Allopurinol tablets may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
  • stomach upsets, including vomiting or diarrhoea
  • change in bowel habits
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • ringing or buzzing in the ears
  • sleeplessness
  • hair loss or change in hair colour.
  • These are the more common side effects of allopurinol tablets. Mostly these side effects are mild and short-lived.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:
  • eye problems
  • tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
  • fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
  • blood in your urine
  • a change in the amount of urine passed or a burning feeling while passing urine
  • yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • swelling of the ankles or legs.
  • These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
  • If any of the following happen, stop taking allopurinol tablets, and tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital:

  • asthma, wheezing or shortness of breath
  • swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in breathing
  • sudden or severe itching, skin rash or hives
  • fainting, seizures or fits
  • pain or tightness in the chest.
  • These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

    These side effects are rare.

    Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

    Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

    You may not experience any of them.

    After using Allopurinol Tablets

    Storage

    Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.

    If you take the tablets out of the pack they will not keep as well.

    Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
    Do not store allopurinol tablets or any other medicines in the bathroom or near a sink.

    Do not leave allopurinol tablets in the car on hot days or on windowsills.

    Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

  • Keep allopurinol tablets where children cannot reach them.

    A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

    Disposal

    If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking allopurinol tablets, or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.

    Where to go for further information

    Pharmaceutical companies are not in a position to give people an individual diagnosis or medical advice. Your doctor or pharmacist is the best person to give you advice on the treatment of your condition.

    Product description

    What it looks like

    Chemmart Allopurinol tablets 100mg are white, round, biconvex tablets. They are scored and engraved “ALL” over “100” on one side, “APO” on the other. They are packed in a bottle of 200 tablets.

    Chemmart Allopurinol tablets 300mg are orange, round, biconvex tablets. They are scored and engraved “ALL” over “300” on one side, “APO” on the other. They are packed in a blister pack of 60 tablets.

    Ingredients

    Active ingredient:

  • allopurinol.
  • Other ingredients:

  • croscarmellose sodium
  • magnesium stearate
  • silicon dioxide
  • Chemmart Allopurinol Tablets 300mg also contain Sunset Yellow FCF C.I. 15985.
  • Chemmart Allopurinol Tablets do not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten or tartrazine.

    Chemmart Allopurinol 100mg

    AUST R 83097

    Chemmart Allopurinol 300mg

    AUST R 83098

    Sponsor

  • GenRx Pty Ltd
  • ABN 52 096 916 148
  • Suite 2B, Level 3, Building A
  • 11 Talavera Road
  • North Ryde NSW 2113
  • Australia
  • DISTRIBUTOR

  • Symbion Pharmacy Services Pty Ltd
  • ABN 25 000 875 034
  • 48-58 Overseas Drive
  • Noble Park North VIC 3174
  • Australia
  • Chemmart(R) is a registered trade mark of Symbion Pharmacy Services Pty Ltd
  • Date of leaflet preparation:
  • June 2006
  • ENQUIRE

    1800 200 736