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Zyloprim |
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What is Zyloprim and why is it prescribed? Zyloprim is used in the treatment of many symptoms of gout, including acute attacks, tophi, joint destruction, and uric acid stones. Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by increased blood levels of uric acid. Zyloprim works by reducing uric acid production in the body, thus preventing crystals from forming. Zyloprim is also used to manage the increased uric acid levels in the blood of people with certain cancers, such as leukemia. It is also prescribed to manage some types of kidney stones. Zyloprim will not stop a gout attack that is already underway. However, when taken over a period of several months, this drug will begin to reduce your symptoms. It's important to keep taking it regularly. How should you take Zyloprim? Follow your doctors directions for taking Zyloprim. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dosage, increasing it gradually each week until you reach the dosage that is best for you. You may want to take Zyloprim immediately after a meal to minimize the risk of stomach irritation. You should avoid taking large doses of vitamin C because of the increased possibility of kidney stone formation. While taking Zyloprim you should drink plenty of liquids, 10 to 12 glasses (8 ounces each) per day, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor. To help prevent attacks of gout, you should also avoid beer, wine, and purine-rich foods such as anchovies, sardines, liver, kidneys, lentils, and sweetbreads. If you have been taking colchicine and/or an anti-inflammatory drug, such as Anaprox, Indocin, and others, to relieve your gout, your doctor will probably want you to continue taking this medication while your Zyloprim dosage is being adjusted. Later, when you have had no attacks of gout for several months, you may be able to stop taking these other medications. If you have been taking a drug that promotes the excretion of uric acid in the urine, such as probenecid (Benemid) or sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), to try to prevent attacks of gout, your doctor will probably want to reduce or stop your dosage of this drug while increasing your dosage of Zyloprim. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Zyloprim at room temperature in a cool, dry place, away from light. Are there any Zyloprim side effects? Zyloprim side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Because a skin reaction, the most common side effect of Zyloprim, may occasionally become severe or even fatal, you should stop taking Zyloprim if you notice even the beginnings of a rash. Such a rash may be itchy or scaly or may make your skin peel off in sheets. It may be accompanied by chills and fever, aching joints, or jaundice. More common Zyloprim side effects may include acute attack of gout, diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Less common or rare Zyloprim side effects may include abdominal pain, bruising, chills, fever, hair loss, headache, hepatitis, hives, indigestion, itching, joint pain, kidney failure, loosening of nails, muscle disease, nosebleed, rare skin condition characterized by severe blisters and bleeding on the lips, eyes, or nose, reddish-brown or purplish spots on skin, skin inflammation or peeling, sleepiness, stomach inflammation, taste loss or change, tingling or pins and needles, unusual bleeding, vomiting, and yellowing of skin and eyes. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Zyloprim? If Zyloprim is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zyloprim with Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox), Ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), Azathioprine (Imuran), Blood thinners (such as Coumadin), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Drugs for diabetes (such as Diabinese and Orinase), Mercaptopurine (Purinethol), Probenecid (Benemid, ColBENEMID), Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Phyllin, and others), Thiazide diuretics (such as HydroDIURIL, Diuril, and others), or Vitamin C. Are there any special warnings about Zyloprim? If you notice a rash or other signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking Zyloprim immediately and consult your doctor. In some people, a Zyloprim-induced rash may lead to a serious skin disease, generalized inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel, irreversible liver damage, or even death. You may experience acute attacks of gout more often in the early stages of Zyloprim therapy, even when normal uric acid levels have been attained. These attacks will become shorter and less severe after several months of therapy. A kidney problem may turn a normal dose of Zyloprim into an overdose. If you have a kidney disease, or a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure that may affect your kidneys, your doctor should prescribe Zyloprim cautiously and order periodic blood and urine tests to assess your kidney function. Because Zyloprim may make you drowsy, do not drive or perform hazardous tasks until you know how the medication affects you. |
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