Introduction
Aluric is a medicine used to treat and prevent gout. Gout happens when there is too much uric acid in your body and it forms into crystals which can appear around your joints and kidneys and cause pain. This medicine helps to keep uric acid levels low.
Aluric should be taken after food. You should keep taking it as recommended by your doctor even when you are not having a gout attack. If you stop, your symptoms may get worse because more crystals form in your joints and kidneys. You can help yourself by making some changes to your diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
Some of the common side effects of this medicine are rash, nausea, and diarrhea. Your doctor may help with ways to reduce or prevent these symptoms. Some people may get a severe allergic reaction which needs urgent medical attention. Talk to your doctor straight away if you get symptoms of liver disease including nausea that does not stop, yellowing skin or eyes, or dark urine.
To make sure it is safe for you, before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have or have had heart failure, heart problems, stroke, kidney or liver disease or thyroid problems. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Check with your doctor. You will be asked for regular blood tests to check that your liver is working properly.
How to use Aluric
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Aluric is to be taken with food.
How Aluric works
Aluric is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. It works by decreasing blood uric acid, which is the chemical that causes gout.
What if you forget to take Aluric?
If you miss a dose of Aluric, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Adult: PO Gout; Hyperuricaemia
Mild: 100 mg/day PO initially; increased weekly to 200-300 mg/day
Moderate to severe: 100 mg/day PO initially; increased weekly to 400-600 mg/day
Prevention of hyperuricaemia associated w/ chemotherapy treatment or enzyme disorders 600-800 mg/day, starting 2-3 days before cancer treatment.
Hepatic impairment: Dose reduction may be needed. Monitor liver function regularly.
Administration
May inhibit the metabolism of mercaptopurine and azathioprine; reduce dose of mercaptopurine and azathioprine when given w/ allopurinol. May increase effect of warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants. Increased excretion of the oxipurinol (metabolite) w/ salicylates or uricosuric agents. Increased toxicity w/ thiazide diuretics, some antibacterials, other antineoplastics, ciclosporin, some sulfonylurea antidiabetics, theophylline and vidarabine.
Adult Dose
Ensure adequate fluid intake. Prophylactically with an anti-inflammatory or colchicine for at least 1 mth. Withdraw immediately when sensitivity (skin rash, etc) appears. Pregnancy, lactation. Hepatic and renal impairment.
Lactation: Agent is distributed into breast milk; use with caution.
Renal Dose
Allopurinol is an inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase which converts hypoxanthine to xanthine then uric acid. The reduced production of uric acid relieves all symptoms associated with hyperuricaemia and gout. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase leads to accumulation of its substrates hypoxanthine and xanthine but since their renal clearance is more than 10 times that of uric acid, there is no risk of nephrolithiasis.
Mode of Action
Administration Should be taken with food. Take immediately after meals.
Precaution
Hyperuricaemia, Uric acid nephropathy, Cancer therapy-induced hyperuricaemia, Gout, Recurrent renal stones
Side Effect
Renal impairment: Haemodialysis: Administer dose after session or administer 50% supplemental dose.
CrCl (ml/min)
10-20 200 mg daily.
<3 100 mg daily at extended intervals.
3-10 100 mg daily.
Pregnancy Category Note
1-10%
Rash (1.5%),Nausea (1.3%),Renal failure (1.2%),Vomiting (1.2%)
Frequency Not Defined
Amblyopia,Arthralgias,Blood dyscrasias,Bronchospasm,Cardiovascular abnormalities,Cataracts,Confusion,Decrease in libido,Dizziness,Ecchymosis,Electrolyte abnormalities,Epistaxis,Foot drop,Hematuria,Hepatotoxicity,Hypotonia,Iritis,Kidney function abnormality,Macular retinitis,Malaise,Neuritis,Pharyngitis,Pruritus,Skin edema,Stevens-Johnson syndrome,Sweating,Tinnitus
Potentially Fatal: Stevens-Jonhson and/or Lyell's Syndrome (urticaria, fever, lymphadenopathy, arthralgia). Occasionally, thrombocytopaenia, agranulocytosis and aplastic anaemia.
Interaction
Hypersensitivity; acute attack of gout.