Allopurinol For Gout

Whilst this website is mainly for natural gout remedies, we thought it would be remiss of us to not mention Allopurinol which is the most commonly prescribed medication for gout.

Allopurinol has been used for over 40 years and is a popular choice among medical professionals – it’s like the granddaddy of treatments when it comes to gout.

How Does Allopurinol Work?

Allopurinol works as an uric acid reducer by decreasing the amount of uric acid being produced in your body, which helps reduce the symptoms of gout.

Allopurinol is taken orally, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. It’s important to follow your doctor’s directions when taking Allopurinol, because it can take several weeks for the medication to reduce uric acid levels.

Allopurinol is strictly a preventative measure for gout. It does not treat sudden attacks of gout, but it can help reduce the number of future gout flare-ups and prevent further damage to your joints.

In fact, taking Allopurinol during a gout attack can worsen the attack because Allopurinol breaks down uric acid crystals, which can cause more inflammation as they break down into smaller pieces.

Allopurinol Dosage

The Allopurinol dosage is usually adjusted to maintain a therapeutic uric acid level. Allopurinol dosage can vary from person to person, so it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and not exceed the recommended dose.

A normal dosage for Allopurinol for gout is usually between 100 and 800 milligrams per day, depending on your medical history.

Allopurinol Interactions

Allopurinol can interact with other medications, so it’s important to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Allopurinol also increases the risk of kidney stones and skin reactions, so it is important to discuss this with your doctor if you have a history of either condition.

Side Effects Of Allopurinol

Side effects of Allopurinol can include headaches, nausea, and drowsiness.

Liver and kidney function should be monitored closely when taking Allopurinol, as Allopurinol can cause an elevation of liver or kidney enzymes. Allopurinol may also affect the blood sugar levels and can aggravate existing diabetes.

Talk to your doctor about any potential side effects before starting Allopurinol.

Allopurinol And Alcohol

When it comes to Allopurinol and alcohol, the two should not be mixed. Alcohol can interfere with Allopurinol’s effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects. It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol when taking Allopurinol for gout.

In fact, alcohol and gout are not the best combination at the best of times.

Some natural foods that act similar to Allopurinol for gout include celery seed extract, turmeric, cherry juice, lemon and bromelain. All of these natural remedies are believed to help reduce uric acid levels in the body and reduce the symptoms of gout.

Celery seed extract is believed to reduce inflammation and help the body flush out uric acid naturally.

Tart cherry juice, which is high in anthocyanins, has also been shown to reduce uric acid levels in the blood and reduce gout symptoms.

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples which can help break down uric acid crystals and reduce inflammation.

Turmeric is believed to reduce inflammation and lemon juice has been shown to help reduce uric acid levels.

All five of these natural remedies can be incorporated into your daily diet to help prevent and reduce the symptoms of gout.

It is best to consult with your doctor before taking any natural supplements or herbal medicines while on Allopurinol for gout.

Allopurinol vs Colchicine

Allopurinol and Colchicine are two common medications used to treat gout.

Allopurinol works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body, while Colchicine is a pain reliever that helps reduce the inflammation associated with gout flare-ups.

Allopurinol is usually taken once daily and is generally taken for long-term prevention and Colchicine is usually taken as needed during gout flare-ups.

Allopurinol can take several weeks to work, while Colchicine works quickly to reduce inflammation and pain associated with gout flare-ups.

Allopurinol is typically recommended for patients who have frequent gout flare-ups, while Colchicine is usually recommended for patients with acute gout symptoms.

Allopurinol is also better tolerated and has fewer side effects than Colchicine.

It’s important to consult with your doctor before starting either Allopurinol or Colchicine. Your doctor can help you decide which medication is best for your gout treatment plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Allopurinol has been used as an effective treatment for gout for over 40 years and can help reduce the number of gout flare-ups and prevent further joint damage.

Allopurinol should be taken as prescribed by your doctor and it’s important to be aware of side effects and interactions with other medications. Lastly, Allopurinol should not be mixed with alcohol for best results.

Additionally, there are several natural remedies that can be used to supplement Allopurinol in the treatment of gout.

Personally, I prefer the natural route but everyone’s situation is different.