Sulfinpyrazone (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed

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.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should 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.

Other uses for this medicine

Sulfinpyrazone may be used after a heart attack. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Special precautions

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.

Special dietary instructions

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 to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects

Minor Side Effects

Sulfinpyrazone may cause side effects. 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

Severe Side Effects

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

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to sulfinpyrazone.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

• Anturane®