Allopurinol is a medicine used to lower levels of uric acid in your blood. If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys do not filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny, sharp crystals to form in and around your joints.

Allopurinol is used to treat gout and kidney stones.

It may also be prescribed if you’re having some types of cancer treatment. Some treatments can cause a build-up of uric acid.

Allopurinol comes as 100mg and 300mg tablets and is only available on prescription.

Allopurinol is also known by the brand names Zyloric and Uricto.

Allopurinol can be taken by adults and sometimes children.

Allopurinol is not suitable for certain people.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to allopurinol or any other medicine
• are of Han Chinese, Thai or Korean origin
• have problems with your liver or kidneys
• currently have an attack of gout
• have thyroid problems

Contact your doctor or a PillDoctor pharmacist if you take more allopurinol than your usual dose and you have any of these symptoms:

• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• feeling dizzy or tired
• headaches
• stomach pain