Dosage prescribing and plasma oxipurinol levels in patients receiving allopurinol therapy.
This study examined dosage prescribing patterns and steady-state oxipurinol plasma concentrations in 66 patients receiving chronic allopurinol therapy. Most patients (65%) were taking 300 mg allopurinol daily, although renal impairment was common. Using published guidelines, it was estimated that 35% of patients were receiving excessive dosages of allopurinol. Consequently, the plasma oxipurinol concentrations were often very high (mean (SD) was 156 (109) mumol.l-1). Accumulation of oxipurinol was inversely related to renal function. Plasma concentrations of oxipurinol and urate were not significantly related. However, most patients with oxipurinol concentrations of up to 100 mumol.l-1 had urate concentrations within the normal reference range.
Peterson
G M
GM
School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
Boyle
R R
RR
Francis
H W
HW
Oliver
N W
NW
Paterson
J
J
von Witt
R J
RJ
Taylor
G R
GR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010117:Oxypurinol / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D000493:Allopurinol; D010117:Oxypurinol