Allopurinol
What is it?
Allopurinol is taken in combination with other medicines to treat inflammatory bowel disease. It is also used to help prevent rejection of a transplanted organ and to treat gout, kidney stones, and high levels of uric acid in the blood that can occur due to chemotherapy.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking allopurinol in pregnancy?
Allopurinol is sometimes used during pregnancy to help control inflammatory bowel disease, which is very important both for the woman’s wellbeing and to prevent certain pregnancy complications. It is also vital for both mother and baby that a transplanted organ continues to function well during pregnancy, and that the symptoms of painful conditions such as gout and kidney stones are well-controlled.
Risks
What are the risks of using allopurinol in pregnancy?
Only a small number of pregnant women taking allopurinol have been studied. The majority of the available information does not raise concern that its use causes problems. However, two babies exposed in the womb to allopurinol were born with similar, unusual birth defects. Ongoing research is therefore required to rule out that, in rare cases, allopurinol use can cause problems.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to using allopurinol in pregnancy?
Possibly. Other medicines are available to treat the illnesses that allopurinol is used for. However, if allopurinol was working well before pregnancy, a woman may be advised by her doctor to continue taking it. This will benefit both her and her baby by ensuring that her condition remains well-controlled.
Women who accidentally conceive while taking allopurinol should arrange to see their doctor or specialist to ensure that allopurinol is still the best treatment and to make sure the dose is correct.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important that inflammatory bowel disease is controlled, and that organ rejection continues to be prevented during pregnancy. Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when absolutely necessary and will be happy to talk to you about any concerns that you might have.
Will I or my baby need any extra monitoring?
As part of routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s development. No additional monitoring is required due to taking allopurinol in pregnancy, although women with inflammatory bowel disease and organ transplants are likely to be offered additional monitoring of their own and their baby’s wellbeing.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has used allopurinol?
There is no evidence that allopurinol used by the father can harm the baby through effects on the sperm..
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.