Why does starting allopurinol prolong acute treated gout?

Why does starting allopurinol prolong acute treated gout?

Standard medical references recommend delaying the initiation of urate-lowering drugs during an acute gout attack because of the hypothesized potential for a change in serum uric acid level to precipitate an acute attack or substantially worsen an ongoing attack.

When to start allopurinol after a gout attack?

Allopurinol is generally started between 2 and 3 weeks after a gout attack has abated. The recommended dosage is between 100mg and 300mg per day usually in one oral dose.

What happens when you take a lot of allopurinol?

Anything that is effective at lowering uric acid will cause uric acid crystals to dissolve. As they are dissolving, they are exposed to the immune system and you can get a gout attack. Often this is more widespread than the familiar one or two joints that are affected by normal gout attacks.

Which is the best drug for the treatment of gout?

Allopurinol: The standard for gout. If you suffer or have suffered from gout, you have come across the prescription drug called allopurinol, first marketed in the United States since 1966.

Can you take febuxostat while taking allopurinol?

If you do have an acute attack of gout while on allopurinol, don’t stop taking it. If you’re unable to continue taking allopurinol because of your side effects, you may be able to take febuxostat instead, which works in a similar way to allopurinol.

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.

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.

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.