treat acute gout attacks, the patient should be instructed to continue taking allopurinol if
he has such an attack. Allopurinol may produce such side effects as skin rash and
gastrointestinal upset. If the drug causes too much gastrointestinal upset, the patient
can take it after meals. The patient taking allopurinol should be instructed to drink at
least 10 to 12 full glasses (8 fluid ounces per glass) of fluids each day--unless informed
otherwise by his physician. This is done to prevent the formation of kidney stones while
taking the drug.
d. Probenecid (Benemid). Probenecid increases the urinary excretion of uric
acid. This anti-gout agent has the following side effects associated with its use: bloody
urine, lower back pain, and painful urination. The patient should be instructed not to
drink too much alcohol while taking this drug since doing so could lessen the
therapeutic effect of probenecid. Furthermore, the patient should be told not to take
aspirin with this agent because salicylates antagonize the uricosuric action of
probenecid.
MD0805
4-7