Where Is Allopurinol Metabolized?

Allopurinol undergoes metabolism in the liver, where it transforms into its pharmacologically active metabolite, oxypurinol. The half-life of allopurinol is 1 to 2 hours, and oxypurinol is about 15 hours.

Is allopurinol metabolized by the kidneys?

ZYLOPRIM (allopurinol) and its primary active metabolite, oxipurinol, are eliminated by the kidneys; therefore, changes in renal function have a profound effect on dosage.

Is allopurinol bad for the kidneys?

Allopurinol can help lower serum urate levels to improve gout symptoms without an increased risk to the kidneys, they concluded. "Our results help to mitigate the concern that allopurinol is harmful to the kidney functioning of patients with gout," said Dr. Vargas-Santos.