Why does allopurinol worsen acute gout?
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.
Does allopurinol make gout worse?
Allopurinol Doesn’t Worsen Acute Gout Attacks.
How long does gout last after taking allopurinol?
This also explains why people can continue to have attacks of gout for up to two years after starting allopurinol, because it takes up to two years for the crystals to dissolve completely.
Can allopurinol flare up gout?
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.
Does allopurinol stop gout attacks?
What is allopurinol? Allopurinol is used for the long-term treatment and prevention of gout. Taken regularly, it can stop attacks of gout and help prevent damage to your joints.
How long before allopurinol works?
It can take 2-3 months to become fully effective. It does not have any effect during a gout attack, although you should continue to take it regularly every day even if this happens. During the first few weeks of taking allopurinol, your blood levels of uric acid may rise for a short while before they fall.
Why does allopurinol trigger gout?
Sometimes starting allopurinol can trigger a gout attack. This is because some of the crystals can dislodge into the joint as they get smaller which can cause an attack. You may be given another medicine to reduce the risk of these attacks.
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.
What is allopurinol used for?
The medicine Allopurinol is used to treat Gout