Allopurinol - if you take it regualarly for gout (say years) , then you have a flare up - do you cease it unti?

Allopurinol - if you take it regualarly for gout (say years) , then you have a flare up - do you cease it unti?the flare up subsides?

Keith from GoutPal.com
No, never stop taking allopurinol, even if you have a gout flare.

You should take an anti-inflammatory if you cannot stand the pain. Ibuprofen works for me, but some people cannot stomach it. If you have adverse reactions to all anti-inflammatory drugs, a corticosteroid injection often helps, but they can only be taken short term as they reduce the body's natural corticosteroid production.

If you have had a gout flare now after years of allopurinol, it is an indication that your dosage is not right. You should be having uric acid tests at least every 3 months. First year or so of allopurinol, your uric acid level should aim to be around 5mg/dL, definitely under 6. This ensures any existing uric acid crystals in your body tissue dissolve. After that, it must be maintained below 7.

If doctor has monitored a few years of low uric acid, it can sometimes be stopped for a few months, subject to monthly uric acid tests. At first sign of it rising above 7, you must get straight back on the allopurinol.

The only other time to stop taking allopurinol is if you show any serious side effects. These side effects should be listed on your allopurinol packaging. If not, you can read them on the reference site below.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! Gout - information, symptoms and treatments. Googout.info health information factsheet - advice on gout and its symptoms, causes and treatment, plus prevention through diet.

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