Does Allopurinol Cause Itchiness And Rash?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 Answered on

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having a terriable itch and rash. Have you had anyone that is allergic to allopurnol.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Allopurinol can cause itch and rash Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query One of the side effect of allopurinol is rash, these rashes tend to be itchy. It is part of a hypersensitivity syndrome. I strongly recommend that you stop the drug, please continue antihistamine and lotions. A safer drug which provides the same effect of allopurinol is Febuxostat, please approach your physician with my recommendation I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me I wish you good health Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (54 minutes later)

How long will it take for the allopurinol to leave the system after stopping?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Half life is 2 hours Detailed Answer: Hello That is for getting back to me The half life of allopurinol is 2 hours so it means that within a day it is totally excreted from your system however the hypersensitivity reaction it has caused will take about 3 days to settle down. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar