Allopurinol sodium

Allopurinol Sodium is a pharmaceutical drug used primarily in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia. It is a type of xanthine oxidase inhibitor, which works by decreasing the production of uric acid in the body.

History

Allopurinol Sodium was first synthesized in the 1960s by Robert W. Yeh, a chemist at the Wellcome Research Laboratories. It was approved for medical use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1966.

Medical Uses

Allopurinol Sodium is used to treat chronic gout, a condition characterized by high levels of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, causing pain and inflammation. It is also used to prevent acute gout attacks.

In addition to gout, Allopurinol Sodium is used to treat or prevent high uric acid levels that occur as a result of certain types of chemotherapy. It is also used in the treatment of kidney stones and to decrease levels of uric acid in people who are receiving cancer treatment.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Allopurinol Sodium include skin rash, nausea, and diarrhea. In rare cases, it can cause serious skin reactions, liver damage, and a decrease in the number of blood cells.

Pharmacology

Allopurinol Sodium is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, which means it works by blocking the action of an enzyme in the body called xanthine oxidase. This enzyme is involved in the production of uric acid, so by inhibiting it, Allopurinol Sodium reduces the amount of uric acid produced by the body.

See Also

• Gout
• Hyperuricemia
• Xanthine oxidase inhibitor
• Uric acid