Hydroxycarbamide and Allopurinol

[Connie46]

I collected my first Hydroxycarbamide prescription yesterday from the hospital pharmacy. I was also given another drug called Allopurinol. I wasn't told that I would have to take this in addition to the Hydroxycarbamide. Does anyone know if this is always given with Hydroxy? I am anxious about taking too much medication so if the Allopurinol is not necessary I would rather not take it. Any advice appreciated.

Connie

[Hidden]

Hi Connie, the allopurinol is usually given for gout, which is an unfortunate knock on to our conditions. If you haven't suffered with gout then I would definitely query it with your haematologist or gp. I haven't taken hydroxy so I don't know whether it is given as standard, I'm on Ruxolitinib for post PV MF, but I've been on allopurinol for some years because of the gout.

Hope this helps!

Christine

[Connie46 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Christine, I will ask my consultant.

Connie

[Doggy1903 in reply to Hidden]

Yes well worth discussing, I have been taking Hydroxy for about 2 years without problems so far but no allopurinal so perhaps they think this is important for your individual care. Hope very much all goes well for you.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Connie, if you were not told that you need the Allopurinol then you need to check with your haematologist why you have been prescribed it, contact the department today and ask. Best wishes Maz

[Connie46 in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you Maz

Connie

[Lainy1]

Hi Connie, yes, as Christine said it's to help prevent gout from uric acid in the blood. I was given it when i stArted my hydroxy but only for the first month. Drinking plenty of water will also help. Ask your heam to check your uric acid levels at next app.

Best wishes lainy

[Connie46 in reply to Lainy1]

Thank you Lainy

Connie

[Splb3317]

Hi Connie, yes, I take Allopurinol for gout. I was getting gout with my PV, long before I started taking Hydroxycarbamide and my haemotologist recommended that I stay on it because of the medication. The gout was incredibly painful, so I'm quite happy to take another pill which I know will prevent that pain. Kind regards, Sandra

[Connie46]

Hi Sandra,

Thank you for your comments.

Connie

[skipperL]

I was given Allopurinol for several weeks only when I started Hydroxycarbamide- I was told the risk of gout was greatest then. SkipperL

[Connie46 in reply to skipperL]

Thanks Skipper

Regards,

Connie

[francesb]

Hi Connie, I took Hydroxy for 2 years but was never prescribed allopurinol, now did my consultant ever mention it. Good luck with the treatment, best wishes, Frances.

[Connie46 in reply to francesb]

Thank you Frances.

Regards,

Connie x

[jane13]

as i understand it gout comes from too many red blood cells so assume that's what u have??? hence the allopurinol. If yr red blood count is OK would ask about the allopurinol

[Connie46]

Thanks Jane.

Regards,

Connie

[Mardigras]

As far as I remember Connie, I was given the same drug but fir seven days only. It was to counter the initial effects of the hydroxy. Something to do with acid I think, but can't quite remember.

I'm sure Max would know. You could try and ask her. Sorry not to be more help. Anyway, no side effects so no problem for me.

Hope you get an answer.

Hugs,

Marci

[Connie46]

Thank you for your comments Marci.

Kind regards,

Connie

[Borage]

Have your blood tests shown high uric acid levels?

Check with your haematologist before taking them, they are not part of the UK NICE Guidelines for treatment of ET.

They are a treatment for gout, and though gout is common with ET, not everyone gets gout or and no-one needs unnecessary treatment.

[Connie46]

Many thanks.

Connie

[AMD6yr]

My hemo guy says it protects the kidneys from the impact of uric acid. Gotta trust your doc, but it always helps to get more info, especially from all the posts on the site. Good work, folks, keep posting!