title: [Side effects off allopurinol].
abstract: Allopurinol is generally considered to be a safe and well tolerated drug. We report one patient with a serious effect from allopurinol, a serious exfoliative rash and signs of allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome. Only after considerable diagnostic delay and patient morbidity, signs and symptoms were associated with the drug. The patient recovered when the medication was withdrawn. Data from the Norwegian reporting system for side effects of drugs for the period 1973-2003 show a wide range of side effects of allopurinol and even some fatalities. The indication for treatment must be carefully considered. Impaired renal function, ampicillin and thiazide diuretics increase the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions.
authors.affiliation: Geriatrisk seksjon, Medisinsk avdeling, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim. erik.rodevand@stolav.no
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rødevand
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sletvold
authors.forename: Kristin Thorseng
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kvande
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D000493:Allopurinol