sulfinpyrazone: what is it, how to use, side effects

how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

sulfinpyrazone is used to treat chronic gout and certain blood clotting disorders. it appears to decrease blood clotting by making platelets (cells that cause blood clots) less sticky. it prevents gout crystals from forming by increasing the amount of uric acid and water that moves through the kidneys.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

how should i use this medication?

the recommended starting dose of sulfinpyrazone is 100 mg twice daily. depending on your response to the medication, your doctor may gradually increase your dose up to 800 mg daily (e.g., 200 mg 4 times daily). the usual daily dose for chronic gout is 200 mg to 400 mg.

sulfinpyrazone may be taken with or without food. if the medication upsets your stomach, you may take it with food. if you still experience problems, you may take the medication with an antacid. your doctor may want you to drink up to 8 to 10 glasses of water daily when you first start taking this medication. it is important that you follow your doctor's directions carefully, to avoid the formation of acidic urine.

many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not take sulfinpyrazone if you:

• are allergic to sulfinpyrazone or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid (asa) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• have a history of blood disorders or blood coagulation disorders
• have an active ulcer

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• joint pain, redness, or swelling
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• increased blood pressure
• signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of bleeding (e.g., bloody nose, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
• skin rash
• sudden decrease in amount of urine
• swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)
• unusual tiredness or weakness

seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools, spitting up of blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

seek immediate medical attention if any of the following signs of overdose occur:

• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• convulsions (seizures)
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• nausea or vomiting (severe or continuing)
• stomach pain (severe or continuing)

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.

allergy: some people who are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid (asa) also experience allergic reactions sulfinpyrazone. before you take sulfinpyrazone, inform your doctor about any previous adverse reactions you have had to medications, especially asa. contact your doctor at once if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat.

diabetes: sulfinpyrazone may cause a loss of control of diabetes by increasing blood glucose (sugar). if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. you may need to check your blood glucose levels more often.

fluids: if you are prone to gout (high uric acid levels) and also take diuretics (water pills), make sure to drink lots of fluids. your doctor may want you to start with a low dose of sulfinpyrazone. at the start of treatment, attacks of gout may occur more frequently because uric acid is being freed from affected joints. therefore, maintain an adequate fluid intake. if an attack of gout occurs, sulfinpyrazone should be continued but your doctor will likely add other treatments (e.g., colchicine or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [but not asa]).

kidney function: sulfinpyrazone may cause sodium and water retention. if you have a history of kidney disease or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

stomach problems: sulfinpyrazone may cause stomach problems or re-activate stomach ulcers. if you have a history of stomach problems, healed peptic ulcer or active ulcers, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

breast-feeding: it is not known if sulfinpyrazone passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breastfeeding.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between sulfinpyrazone and any of the following:

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/sulfinpyrazone