Allopurinol (Oral Route)

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of allopurinol in children with high uric acid levels caused by cancer.

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of allopurinol in geriatric patients.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For treatment of gout:
    • Adults—At first, 100 to 300 milligrams (mg) per day, taken once a day or in divided doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of high uric acid levels caused by cancer medicines:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 11 years of age and older—600 to 800 milligrams (mg) per day, taken in divided doses for 2 to 3 days.
    • Children 6 to 10 years of age—300 mg per day, taken once a day for 2 to 3 days.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—150 mg per day, taken once a day for 2 to 3 days.
  • For treatment of kidney stones:
    • Adults—200 to 300 milligrams (mg) per day, taken once a day or in divided doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.