Can taking allopurinol cause elevated bilirubin levels?

Jul 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I had gout for a while, and my doctor prescribed allopurinol. Today I went to the hospital for a follow-up test, which showed elevated bilirubin levels. May I ask if taking allopurinol can cause increased bilirubin levels?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Taking allopurinol may potentially cause an increase in bilirubin levels. Although allopurinol is primarily used for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, during its use it may have certain effects on the liver, leading to abnormal bilirubin metabolism and subsequently elevated bilirubin levels. The occurrence of this condition may be related to factors such as individual drug metabolism capacity, dosage, and duration of treatment. Elevated bilirubin levels can be caused by various factors. Besides medications, they may also be associated with hepatobiliary diseases such as cholecystitis and gallstones. Therefore, when elevated bilirubin levels occur, timely medical consultation and relevant examinations are necessary to determine the underlying cause and implement appropriate treatment measures. To avoid unnecessary liver damage caused by drugs like allopurinol, patients should strictly follow medical instructions during the course of treatment.