Anturane
Complete list of drugs used to treat arthritis.
Anturane is used to treat gouty arthritis. It works by lowering the
amount of uric acid in your blood, preventing
gout attacks. The drug helps prevent attacks but will not treat an attack once it has
started.
How should Anturane be used?
Anturane comes as a tablet and capsule to take by mouth. Anturane
usually is taken twice a day. Take with food or milk. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Take Anturane exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Anturane helps control gout but does not cure it. Continue to take
Anturane even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Anturane without talking to your
doctor.
Anturane may be used after a heart attack. Talk to your doctor about
the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
Before taking Anturane,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Anturane or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin or products that contain aspirin, cholestyramine
(Questran), diuretics ('water pills'), niacin (Nicobid, Slo-Niacin), theophylline
(Theo-Dur), tolbutamide (Orinase), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had peptic ulcer disease, kidney disease, or
any blood disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking Anturane, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking Anturane.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate
machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Also, alcohol may
increase the amount of uric acid in your blood. Do not drink alcohol while taking Anturane
before checking with your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Anturane helps your body get rid of uric acid through your urine. This process may
cause kidney stones. To help prevent kidney stones, be sure to drink 10-12 glasses (8
ounces each) of fluid each day or drink enough water to keep your urine a light yellow
color.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from Anturane are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- joint pain, redness, or swelling
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- difficulty breathing
- tightness in the chest
- skin rash
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- fever
- sore throat
- mouth sores
- swollen or painful glands
- painful urination
- change in the amount of urine
- lower back or side pain
- blood in urine or stool
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