Allopurinol oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

Allopurinol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Zyloprim. Allopurinol also comes in injectable form, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

This article describes allopurinol oral tablet’s dosages, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for allopurinol.

If you want to know more about allopurinol, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Form and strengths of allopurinol

Allopurinol oral tablet comes as follows. Its strengths are in milligrams (mg).

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 100 mg, 300 mg

Allopurinol tablets have a score line. This is a groove in the center that makes splitting them easier.

Dosage of allopurinol

This article describes the recommended dosages* for allopurinol oral tablet.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of allopurinol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drug manufacturer provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosages of allopurinol in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of allopurinol oral tablet. Then they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of allopurinol oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for treating gout

Doctors typically prescribe the following allopurinol dosages to treat gout in adults.

• Starting dosage: 100 mg per day for a week
• Dosage increase: weekly increase of 100 mg until uric acid levels are managed
• Maintenance dosage* for mild gout: 200 mg to 300 mg per day
• Maintenance dosage* for severe gout with buildup of uric acid: 400 mg to 600 mg per day
• Maximum dosage: 800 mg per day

* Maintenance dosage is the dosage you’ll take after the starting dosage for the remainder of your treatment.

Your doctor will measure your blood’s uric acid levels regularly to see whether your treatment is working. They’ll do this using a blood test.

Also, your doctor will tell you the best way to take your dose. That may mean taking it once daily or dividing it into two or three daily doses.

Dosage for treating kidney stones

Doctors typically prescribe the following allopurinol dosages to treat kidney stones in adults.

• Dose: 200 mg to 300 mg
• Frequency: once or twice per day

Your doctor will tell you whether to take your dose once daily or divide it into two doses.

Dosage together with cancer treatment

Some cancer treatments cause high uric acid levels. Doctors sometimes prescribe allopurinol together with those treatments. They typically prescribe the following allopurinol dosage for this use.

• Dose: 600 mg to 800 mg
• Frequency before cancer treatment: divided into two or three doses per day for 2 to 3 days
• Frequency after cancer treatment: divided into two or three doses per day for 3 to 7 days

Your allopurinol dosage and how long you take it will depend on your specific cancer treatment. Your doctor will prescribe the allopurinol dosage that is best for you. They’ll also let you know whether you should split your dose into two or three daily doses.

Dosages of allopurinol in children

Some cancer treatments cause high uric acid levels. Doctors sometimes prescribe allopurinol together with those treatments. For this use, children’s dosages are based on age.

Your child’s doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s best for your child. They will also confirm the best way for your child to take their dose. This may mean taking it as a single dose or dividing it into two or three doses throughout the day.

Older than age 10 years

For children older than age 10 years, doctors will typically prescribe the allopurinol dosage used for adults. This is as follows:

• Dose: 600 mg to 800 mg
• Frequency before cancer treatment: divided into two or three doses per day for 2 to 3 days
• Frequency after cancer treatment: divided into two or three doses per day for 3 to 7 days

Your child’s doctor will order a blood test regularly to test your child’s uric acid level. This will let their doctor know whether the allopurinol treatment is working.

Ages 6 to 10 years

For children ages 6 to 10 years, doctors will prescribe the following allopurinol dosages:

• Dose: 300 mg
• Frequency: once per day as a single dose or divided into two or three doses

Your child’s doctor will test your child’s uric acid levels after 2 days of treatment. They’ll do this using a blood test. If needed, they may adjust the dosage.

Younger than age 6 years

For children younger than age 6 years, doctors will prescribe the following allopurinol dosages:

• Dose: 150 mg
• Frequency: once per day as a single dose or divided into two or three doses

Your child’s doctor will test your child’s uric acid levels after 2 days of treatment. They’ll do this using a blood test. If needed, they may adjust the dosage.

Dosage adjustments for allopurinol

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of allopurinol oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and its severity
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you may take

Missed dose of allopurinol

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of allopurinol oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of allopurinol oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about allopurinol oral tablet and its dosage.

Do older adults have a specific recommended dose of allopurinol?

No, the drug manufacturer hasn’t provided a specific dose for older adults. Older adults are considered ages 65 years and older.

But older adults are more likely to have kidney problems. Because of this, the drug manufacturer recommends a lower dosage for people with kidney problems. If you’re an older adult, your doctor may test your kidney function before prescribing your dosage.

Always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. Talk with them if you have any questions about your dosage.

How does the dosage for allopurinol injection compare with the dosage for allopurinol oral tablet?

The dosages for allopurinol injection and allopurinol oral tablet are different. The allopurinol injection is used together with some cancer treatments. It’s given by intravenous injection (into a vein).

The allopurinol injection may have a maximum daily dosage that differs from the tablet’s. Also, the injection dosage is based on height and body weight, and the tablet dosage is not.

To learn more about allopurinol injection, you can talk with your doctor.

Is allopurinol taken long term?

It might be, as doctors prescribe allopurinol oral tablet as a long-term treatment for some conditions. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take allopurinol oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How allopurinol is taken

You’ll swallow allopurinol oral tablet, typically one or two times per day. If you take a very high dose, your doctor may divide your dose so that you take it three times per day.

You should take allopurinol oral tablet after a meal. And you may need to drink more water than you did before you started allopurinol.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This keeps a consistent amount of the drug in your body. Doing so can help the drug work more effectively.

The tablets are scored with a groove so you can split them if needed. You may also chew or crush the tablet if you have trouble swallowing tablets. For tips on how to swallow medications that come in pill form, view this article.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it and help you safely split your allopurinol tablets.

Allopurinol coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for allopurinol when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of allopurinol

It’s important that you do not take more allopurinol oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects. 

What to do if you take too much allopurinol

If you think you’ve taken too much allopurinol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for allopurinol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of allopurinol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take allopurinol oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Should I divide my allopurinol daily dosage into two doses per day?
• Will my allopurinol dosage change if I start another medication for gout?
• Is a high dose of allopurinol more likely to cause side effects?
• If I develop kidney problems, will I change to a lower allopurinol dosage?
• If I have gout and kidney stones, which allopurinol dose should I take?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.