Sulfinpyrazone
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Sulfinpyrazone 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 Sulfinpyrazone be used?
Sulfinpyrazone comes as a tablet and capsule to take by mouth.
Sulfinpyrazone 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 sulfinpyrazone exactly as directed. Do not take more or
less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Sulfinpyrazone helps control gout but does not cure it. Continue to
take sulfinpyrazone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sulfinpyrazone without
talking to your doctor.
Sulfinpyrazone may be used after a heart attack. Talk to your doctor
about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
Before taking sulfinpyrazone,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulfinpyrazone 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 sulfinpyrazone, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking sulfinpyrazone.
- 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
sulfinpyrazone before checking with your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Sulfinpyrazone 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 sulfinpyrazone 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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