Allopurinol and Acute Gout

Gout is an extremely painful form of arthritis caused by excess uric acid accumulation that deposits and crystalizes in the joints.

Allopurinol is a drug used to treat gout. It should be used only after the acute attack has resolved.

Allopurinol should not be used to in the setting of Acute Gout as it will cause exacerbation of the gouty attack. This occurs by dropping the Uric Acid level that will precipitates an attack. Gouty attack occurs both with drop in uric acid as well as increase in uric acid level.

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