Which statement best reflects the purpose of allopurinol in chemotherapy patients?

Which statement best reflects the purpose of allopurinol in chemotherapy patients?

• A. It prevents increased uric acid levels due to cell destruction
• B. It reduces allergic reactions to chemotherapy
• C. It stimulates white blood cell production
• D. It neutralizes chemotherapy drugs in the bloodstream

Answer: (A)

Allopurinol is used to prevent uric acid buildup when chemotherapy causes rapid destruction of tumor cells. The breakdown of purines from lysed cells increases uric acid, which can precipitate in the kidneys and cause nephropathy. Allopurinol inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase, reducing the conversion of purines into uric acid, thereby lowering uric acid levels and protecting kidney function during aggressive cell kill. It isn’t a measure to prevent allergic reactions, it doesn’t stimulate white blood cell production, and it doesn’t neutralize chemotherapy drugs in the bloodstream. Those effects come from other strategies or agents.

Allopurinol is used to prevent uric acid buildup when chemotherapy causes rapid destruction of tumor cells. The breakdown of purines from lysed cells increases uric acid, which can precipitate in the kidneys and cause nephropathy. Allopurinol inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase, reducing the conversion of purines into uric acid, thereby lowering uric acid levels and protecting kidney function during aggressive cell kill.

It isn’t a measure to prevent allergic reactions, it doesn’t stimulate white blood cell production, and it doesn’t neutralize chemotherapy drugs in the bloodstream. Those effects come from other strategies or agents.