Sulfinpyrazone

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.

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, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking sulfinpyrazone. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects..
• the following nonprescription products may interact with sulfapyrazone: aspirin; niacin (Nicobid, Slow Niacin). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking sulfinpyrazone. Do not start any of these medications while taking sulfapyrazone without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• 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.

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 to 12 glasses (8 ounces [240 milliliters] each) of fluid each day or drink enough water to keep your urine a light yellow color.

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.

Sulfinpyrazone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• 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

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 (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

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).

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

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.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.