Allopurinol Sodium (allopurinol sodium)

Hyperuricemia Agents (non-uricosuric) Intravenous Vial (Ea)

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Allopurinol, a structural isomer of hypoxanthine, is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor.

Generic name: allopurinol sodium
Drug class: Hyperuricemia Agents (non-uricosuric)
Therapeutic class: Gout and Hyperuricemia Therapy

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Allopurinol Sodium:

  • Hyperuricemia Due To Cancer Therapy

Also known as: Cancer Therapy-Induced Hyperuricemia, Chemotherapy-Induced Hyperuricemia, Hyperuricemia Due To Anticancer Therapy.

Dosing

Dosage of allopurinol varies with the severity of the disease and should be adjusted according to the response and tolerance of the patient. Dosage of allopurinol also may be adjusted according to results of serum uric acid concentrations, which should be maintained within the normal range.

Various approaches to dosing allopurinol in patients with renal impairment have been recommended in an attempt to minimize the risk of allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Use of a low initial dosage has been recommended to reduce the risk of such reactions; the relationship between hypersensitivity reactions and the maintenance dosage used in renal impairment is more controversial. This uncertainty is reflected in the lack of consensus on allopurinol dosage in patients with renal impairment. (See Cautions: Dermatologic and Sensitivity Reactions.)

In patients with impaired renal function, allopurinol and particularly its metabolite oxypurinol may accumulate and, thus, dosage should be reduced. Initial dosages in these patients should be lower than those used in patients with normal renal function.

The manufacturers and some experts recommend that maximum dosages of allopurinol be adjusted according to creatinine clearance. For oral dosing, the manufacturers recommend 200 mg of allopurinol daily when creatinine clearance is 10-20 mL/minute and state that dosage should not exceed 100 mg daily in patients with creatinine clearances less than 10 mL/minute. In patients with severely impaired renal function (i.e., creatinine clearance less than 3 mL/minute), the manufacturers state that use of longer dosing intervals also may be required.

Some clinicians have recommended alternative maintenance dosages of allopurinol based on the patient's creatinine clearance (see Table 1). Although such creatinine clearance-based dosing was widely adopted, this dosing strategy frequently fails to reduce serum urate concentrations to target levels, and evidence that this strategy reduces the risk of allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity reactions in patients who tolerate low initial dosages of the drug is lacking. More recent data suggest that dosage can be increased safely beyond these creatinine clearance-based maintenance dosages, with greater reduction of serum urate concentrations.

Table 1. Creatinine Clearance-based Maintenance Dosages of Allopurinol in Renal Impairment

Creatinine Clearance (mL/minute) Maintenance Dosage 0 100 mg every 3 days 10 100 mg every 2 days 20 100 mg daily 40 150 mg daily 60 200 mg daily 80 250 mg daily

Based on data suggesting that initial dosage is a risk factor for allopurinol-induced hypersensitivity reactions, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and some clinicians recommend that allopurinol therapy be initiated at a reduced dosage of 50 mg daily in patients with stage 4 or worse chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute). Dosage may be adjusted in increments of 50-100 mg every 2-5 weeks to achieve target serum urate concentrations. The ACR and some other clinicians state that dosage may be increased to levels exceeding 300 mg daily, even in patients with renal impairment, provided patients receive appropriate education and are monitored regularly for evidence of hypersensitivity reactions or other adverse effects.

Other experts and clinicians recommend use of even lower initial dosages (based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) in patients with renal impairment (see Table 2), followed by a gradual increase in dosage (e.g., in 50-mg increments at intervals of approximately every 4 weeks); although these experts state that maximum dosage in patients with renal impairment should be lower than in patients without renal impairment, target serum urate concentrations should be the same.

Table 2. GFR-based Dosages for Initiation of Allopurinol Therapy in Renal Impairment

Estimated GFR (mL/minute per 1.73 Initial Dosage m2) Less than 5 50 mg weekly 5-15 50 mg twice weekly 16-30 50 mg every 2 days 31-45 50 mg daily 46-60 50 and 100 mg on alternating days 61-90 100 mg daily

For IV dosing, the manufacturer states that patients with creatinine clearances of 10-20 mL/minute can receive 200 mg daily, those with creatinine clearances of 3-10 mL/minute can receive 100 mg daily, and those with creatinine clearances less than 3 mL/minute may receive 100 mg daily at extended intervals.

Drug interactions

The following drug interactions were observed in patients receiving oral allopurinol therapy. Although many patients received long-term oral administration of allopurinol (e.g., those with gout or renal calculi), these interactions may be relevant to allopurinol sodium for injection therapy as well.

Contraindications

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Adverse reactions

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Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Hyperuricemia due to cancer therapy
E88.3ICD10CMTumor lysis syndrome

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data