Does anyone suffer any side effects from Allopurinol?

[giddyup]

I started taking Allopurinol for gout a couple of months ago and it has worked wonders in that I haven't had one attack in that time. However, in the last couple of weeks I have been getting a mild stomach ache which seems to be there most of the time. The pain is mild and I can't say that it's caused by the Allopurinol as I also take medication for blood pressure, so it may even be a combination of the two, or something else entirely. One of the side effects can be dyspepsia, so I'm wondering if that's what I'm getting. Of course if the pain persists I will get a check up.

[Forkinhades]

How many mg?

Not that I'm a doctor, but I was on 300mg for a while and I had a few side effects, nothing drastic, and not the conditions you say. I'm now on 100mg and everything is fine.

IMHO you should go back to your original doctor (in guessing that is not possible) and let them decide.

However you can do some blood tests here, and compare your results.

Interesting to note that all alorpurinol was originally prescribed for cancer, back in. ...um er 60s

[giddyup]

How many mg?

Not that I'm a doctor, but I was on 300mg for a while and I had a few side effects, nothing drastic, and not the conditions you say. I'm now on 100mg and everything is fine.

IMHO you should go back to your original doctor (in guessing that is not possible) and let them decide.

However you can do some blood tests here, and compare your results.

Interesting to note that all alorpurinol was originally prescribed for cancer, back in. ...um er 60s

I'm taking 100mg once a day. My next step will be to go for a blood test.

[NickJ]

Seems when you come off it gout can hit hard.......going against what will read about pieines and pyrimadines.....I suggest a juicer diet for two weeks....no, Im not a tree hugging enviromentalist.......but....for me....juice fast....google fat fifty and half dead......change your life.

[Forkinhades]

^ my doctor back in the UK, prescribed meds for gout many years ago, I declined, and said I was going to change my diet, which I did, it did not really help.

However I do avoid food high in purines, which are indeed all my favourite foods

[rodknock]

been on allopurinol for 5 years 300mg. daily.

do not want to play with dosage. last thing i want is a gout attack, especially in Thailand.

[giddyup]

My question was: Does anyone suffer any side effects?

[AyG]

In your situation the first thing I'd try is dividing the dose: half with breakfast, half with dinner. Always take with food; never on an empty stomach.

[bdenner]

My question was: Does anyone suffer any side effects?

NO, nothing detectable or anywhere near what you are describing. Started on 200mg per day, 2 years ago, reduced to 200mg a week now. The medication took about a month to start working effectively, haven't had a gout attack since AND no change in my diet or beer consumption.

[giddyup]

In your situation the first thing I'd try is dividing the dose: half with breakfast, half with dinner. Always take with food; never on an empty stomach.

Thanks, worth a try.

[giddyup]

My question was: Does anyone suffer any side effects?

NO, nothing detectable or anywhere near what you are describing. Started on 200mg per day, 2 years ago, reduced to 200mg a week now. The medication took about a month to start working effectively, haven't had a gout attack since AND no change in my diet or beer consumption.

Did you reduce the dosage yourself or did your doctor suggest it? I can't complain about the effectiveness of Allopurinol, I haven't had the slightest symptons of a gout attack, and I was getting some really bad ones. The pain in my foot and sometimes my knee was unbearable and I could barely walk.

[bdenner]

There was no doctor involved, I started the medication on the suggestion of a friend also stuck out here in the rice paddies.

As I'm not into taking pills just for the hell of it I started reducing the rate after about 4 months of being gout free to the rate I'm on now and leveled out at. Not governed by clockwork just 1 x 100mg pill whenever I remember to take it. Allopurinol is certainly one of my best friends.

[giddyup]

There was no doctor involved, I started the medication on the suggestion of a friend also stuck out here in the rice paddies.

As I'm not into taking pills just for the hell of it I started reducing the rate after about 4 months of being gout free to the rate I'm on now and leveled out at. Not governed by clockwork just 1 x 100mg pill whenever I remember to take it. Allopurinol is certainly one of my best friends.

Thanks. Maybe I can try reducing the dose to half a 100mg a day, see how that goes.

[Forkinhades]

Answer to OP, No side effects.

I now take 100mg, every other day, no attacks, if I feel one coming on, I take diclofenac.

[giddyup]

Answer to OP, No side effects.

I now take 100mg, every other day, no attacks, if I feel one coming on, I take diclofenac.

Cheers.

[Forkinhades]

^ point to add, was that my doctor in the UK was very keen to reduce my dosage from 300mg to 100mg, and was making me have blood quite regular.

The drug itself also takes about 3 months to start fully working, and should not be taken during an attack.

[lopburi3]

I took 300mg from 1990 until 2014 and have been on 100mg for last year and have not had an attack since starting and no side effects that I am aware of. My uric acid levels are in normal range now with just the 100mg dose and do not have to do much food control, although eating a lot more salad now so that may account for ability to reduce dosage - have had blood checks every 3 months during entire time..

[mxyzptlk]

I was taking 300mg daily for years....no noticeable side effects