Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Allopurinol lowers uric acid in the blood by blocking xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that makes it. It is used to prevent gout attacks, to prevent some kinds of kidney stones, and to protect the kidneys from the uric acid released during some cancer treatments. It is sold as Zyloprim and Aloprim, among other names.
The best-known gene for allopurinol is HLA-B. People who carry the immune-system gene version HLA-B*58:01, most common in people of Han Chinese, Korean, Thai and African ancestry, are at much higher risk of rare but severe skin and hypersensitivity reactions. CPIC and DPWG have published guidelines on HLA-B*58:01, and DPWG also on ABCG2: a common variant in this urate transporter (rs2231142) is linked to a weaker uric-acid-lowering effect. Other immune genes and urate transporters have been studied, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Allopurinol. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
CPIC guideline: HLA-B. *58:01 positive · *58:01 negative. Strong. 2016.
DPWG guideline: ABCG2. Normal Function · Poor Function · Decreased Function. 2024.
DPWG guideline: HLA-B. *58:01 positive. 2024.
US FDA: HLA-B. *58:01 positive. 2022.
US FDA: HLA-B. *58:01 positive. Data that Indicate a Potential Impact on Safety or Response.
Every published finding on gene variants and Allopurinol. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
HLA-B HLA-B*58:01: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Drug Hypersensitivity, Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 44.
ABCG2 rs2231142: Level 1A · replicated. Efficacy: Gout. 4.
ABCG2 rs2231142: Level 1A · replicated. Dosage: Gout. 1.
HLA-A HLA-A*33:03: Level 2B · replicated. Toxicity: Drug Hypersensitivity, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. 6.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Studies of side effects in people carrying a variant.
HLA-B HLA-B*58:01: HLA-B *58:01 is associated with decreased concentrations of allopurinol.
HLA-B HLA-B*58:01: HLA-B *58:01 is associated with response to allopurinol.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Uloric (Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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