Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using allopurinol as follows:
Bone marrow suppression
- Allopurinol has potential to induce bone marrow suppression or exacerbate any history of the same, thus resulting in reduced production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Bone marrow suppression can be a more common finding, if allopurinol is administered along with any other medication, with potential to induce the same.
- Allopurinol, by virtue of potential to induce bone marrow suppression, can result in compromised immunity and contacting opportunistic infections, increased risk for anemia, increased shortness of breath, pallor, easy bruising, increased risk for bleeding and consequent blood loss.
Compromised hepatic function
- Allopurinol use can result in hepatic damage and compromised liver function, consequently leading to mild right upper quadrant pain in the abdomen, poor digestion, and loss of appetite.
- Individuals can also present symptoms of jaundice, such as, yellowing of skin and white of the eyes, and dark colored urine, secondary to increased bilirubin pigment, due to liver damage and severely affected liver function.
