Should I stop allopurinol during a gout attack?

Allopurinol should not be stopped during acute flares of gout. Stopping allopurinol during an acute flare means therapeutic effect is lost and the urate level will rise. In addition, there is a real risk of the allopurinol not being recommenced as well as precipitating another flare when it is recommenced.

Can you take allopurinol when having a gout attack?

When allopurinol is taken regularly, it can lower the number of gout attacks and help prevent damage to the joints. Usually you will start allopurinol after an acute attack of gout has completely settled.

Why does allopurinol make gout worse?

The most common adverse effect of allopurinol is the precipitation of an acute flare of gout. This is due to urate lowering resulting in urate crystals being shed from articular cartilage into the joint space, resulting in acute inflammation.

Can allopurinol and colchicine be taken together for gout?

Allopurinol is just one part of therapy, however. If you take allopurinol, your doctor may also prescribe colchicine. Many adults with gout take allopurinol and colchicine or another anti-inflammatory medicine as part of their gout flare prevention treatment program.

Why you should keep taking allopurinol during a gout attack?

Allopurinol is a maintenance treatment for gout or high uric acid levels so it should be taken regularly even once a gout attack has resolved. Other treatments (such as NSAIDs or colchicine) are usually prescribed to be taken during an acute gout attack. Seek immediate medical advice if unexplained weight loss or itchiness develop while you are taking allopurinol. Do not drive or operate machinery if allopurinol makes you drowsy or impairs your judgment.

Does starting allopurinol prolong acute treated gout?

Traditional teaching holds that starting allopurinol during an acute gout attack will prolong the attack. Recent expert opinion from the American College of Rheumatology Guidelines is that allopurinol may be started during an acute, treated gout attack.

Why does allopurinol precipitate gout?

Allopurinol causes crystals around the joints to dissolve, which can trigger gout because uric acid levels are changing. The longer a person has suffered from gout, the longer it takes before allopurinol gout remedies work. Pain and swelling commonly occur in the big toe, but other joints can be affected.

How do you treat gout flare up?

There are a number of medications that can provide relief from gout pain during a flare-up, depending on the severity of the problem. NSAID pain relievers, steroids such as prednisone, and colchicine can all help to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with a gout attack.