Allopurinol may be given as a prophylactic measure to prevent which chemotherapy-related complication?

Allopurinol may be given as a prophylactic measure to prevent which chemotherapy-related complication?

• A. Dehydration
• B. Increased uric acid levels due to tumor lysis
• C. Nausea
• D. Anemia

Answer: (B)

Preventing tumor lysis–related hyperuricemia. When chemotherapy causes rapid tumor cell breakdown, purines are released and metabolized into uric acid. If uric acid builds up, it can crystallize in the kidneys and cause uric acid nephropathy or renal failure. Allopurinol blocks xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that converts purines into uric acid, reducing the amount of uric acid produced and helping prevent these kidney complications. It doesn’t directly prevent dehydration, nausea, or anemia, which are not caused by uric acid production. If uric acid is already high, other treatments like rasburicase may be used to break it down quickly, alongside good hydration.

Preventing tumor lysis–related hyperuricemia. When chemotherapy causes rapid tumor cell breakdown, purines are released and metabolized into uric acid. If uric acid builds up, it can crystallize in the kidneys and cause uric acid nephropathy or renal failure. Allopurinol blocks xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that converts purines into uric acid, reducing the amount of uric acid produced and helping prevent these kidney complications. It doesn’t directly prevent dehydration, nausea, or anemia, which are not caused by uric acid production. If uric acid is already high, other treatments like rasburicase may be used to break it down quickly, alongside good hydration.