Allopurinol for Gout
Discussion
My GP has prescribed me 100mg Allopurinol. This came after a blood test which showed that the uric acid was 530mcmol/L (needed to be between 210 and 420). His advice was to take the Allopurinol alongside Colchicine for three weeks.
After following his advice and being moderately careful with food (the occasional pint of beer and maybe a prawn or two) I'm suffering with another gout attack. It's not as bad as previous attacks in terms of pain, but the joint is stiff and very sore from the flare up.
I understand that taking Allopurinol can bring on an attack and I'm wondering if this is it, or is it just the price I'm paying for not being careful...
After following his advice and being moderately careful with food (the occasional pint of beer and maybe a prawn or two) I'm suffering with another gout attack. It's not as bad as previous attacks in terms of pain, but the joint is stiff and very sore from the flare up.
I understand that taking Allopurinol can bring on an attack and I'm wondering if this is it, or is it just the price I'm paying for not being careful...
I never had a problem with the Allopurinol, other that I could not take my statin with them. So after three months on it I came off because my Cholesterol was starting to climb. It did clear up that bout of gout, and touch wood I haven’t had another now for over a year. I now have an agreement with my GP that if I do get a flair up, I'll go for the short 2/3 week course of Colchicine.
BTW prawns are not exceptionally high in purines, there are lots worse you could choose.
BTW prawns are not exceptionally high in purines, there are lots worse you could choose.
k me, I'm crawling around the house to get around - can't put any weight on it whatsoever. 
Sorry to hear that Glassman 
Has your diet changed recently or some other aspect of your life?
I've not had a bad attack for well over 2 years now (and possibly nearer 3) due to being more careful with diet and exercising regularly. It really does seem to have made a difference. Either that or, at 47, I'm growing out of gout?
Anyways, hope you get over your attack soon - I know only too well how you feel mate.
Has your diet changed recently or some other aspect of your life?
I've not had a bad attack for well over 2 years now (and possibly nearer 3) due to being more careful with diet and exercising regularly. It really does seem to have made a difference. Either that or, at 47, I'm growing out of gout?
Anyways, hope you get over your attack soon - I know only too well how you feel mate.
I don't think it's possible to grow out of it!
My stepfather took allopurinol for nearly 20 years, then became allergic to it. He is now very careful with diet (and in particular, limiting alcoholic drinks and taking plenty of water to remain hydrated) and hasn't had an attack for some time.
My father, however, has just had it in his knee and elbow. Since I had my first attack last year (aged 36) and a very brief attack this year, I'm going to try to follow my stepfather's method of dealing with it.
My stepfather took allopurinol for nearly 20 years, then became allergic to it. He is now very careful with diet (and in particular, limiting alcoholic drinks and taking plenty of water to remain hydrated) and hasn't had an attack for some time.
My father, however, has just had it in his knee and elbow. Since I had my first attack last year (aged 36) and a very brief attack this year, I'm going to try to follow my stepfather's method of dealing with it.
Jobbo said:
I don't think it's possible to grow out of it!
My stepfather took allopurinol for nearly 20 years, then became allergic to it. He is now very careful with diet (and in particular, limiting alcoholic drinks and taking plenty of water to remain hydrated) and hasn't had an attack for some time.
My father, however, has just had it in his knee and elbow. Since I had my first attack last year (aged 36) and a very brief attack this year, I'm going to try to follow my stepfather's method of dealing with it.
They have an alternative now called febuxostat, still gave my dad a gout account but I think thats because he won't monitor his uric acid levels to know the right time to start.My stepfather took allopurinol for nearly 20 years, then became allergic to it. He is now very careful with diet (and in particular, limiting alcoholic drinks and taking plenty of water to remain hydrated) and hasn't had an attack for some time.
My father, however, has just had it in his knee and elbow. Since I had my first attack last year (aged 36) and a very brief attack this year, I'm going to try to follow my stepfather's method of dealing with it.
I used to get a couple of attacks each month. Then I started to make sure I drank a lot of water daily and now I get maybe only one or two attacks a year (and they are generally minor).......
Edited by JumboBeef on Friday 10th December 15:21 for stupid spelling
Edited by JumboBeef on Friday 10th December 15:21
Paul Dishman said:
Glassman said:
Can't say anything has changed much recently (other than an on edge, preggers wifey!). I'm not even sure this is gout but it's pain with an industrial 'P'
Ask your doc if you could increase your allopurinol dose to 300 mg per dayGP said that 100mg was starting high (with a view to reducing the dose after a review)
My doctor prescribed it after repeated attacks of gout over 5 or 6 years and warned that it would trigger an attack so to dose with anti inflammatories first.
Various doctors blamed foods/purines ignoring the fact that I ate hardly anything with them in at any high level and my telling them that every attack was preceded by drink, sometimes binges. The lifelong aspect bothered me and so I decided I'd stop drinking alcohol and haven't had an attack of gout since (2 years).
Various doctors blamed foods/purines ignoring the fact that I ate hardly anything with them in at any high level and my telling them that every attack was preceded by drink, sometimes binges. The lifelong aspect bothered me and so I decided I'd stop drinking alcohol and haven't had an attack of gout since (2 years).
Lost_BMW said:
My doctor prescribed it after repeated attacks of gout over 5 or 6 years and warned that it would trigger an attack so to dose with anti inflammatories first.
Various doctors blamed foods/purines ignoring the fact that I ate hardly anything with them in at any high level and my telling them that every attack was preceded by drink, sometimes binges. The lifelong aspect bothered me and so I decided I'd stop drinking alcohol and haven't had an attack of gout since (2 years).
That's the same for me - drink is the trigger. Had a mild attack a few weeks ago after not having any attacks for 3 years. The reason - twisted my knee, stopped going to the gym and had a few wine binges.Various doctors blamed foods/purines ignoring the fact that I ate hardly anything with them in at any high level and my telling them that every attack was preceded by drink, sometimes binges. The lifelong aspect bothered me and so I decided I'd stop drinking alcohol and haven't had an attack of gout since (2 years).
Don't suppose you're on bendroflumethiazide are you?
This can excacerbate gout. Seen it a few times.
BNF says:-
"Acute attacks of gout are usually treated with high doses of NSAIDS such as diclofenac, etoricoxib, indometacin, ketoprofen, naproxen or sulindac. Colcichine as an alternative in patietns whom NSAIDs are contraindicated..
Allopurinol, febuxostat and uricosurics are not effective in treating an acute attack and may prolong it indefinately if started during the acute episode."
Should you really be on allopurinol???
Also BNF states Colchicine dose for an acute attack is 500micrograms 2-4 times daily.
This can excacerbate gout. Seen it a few times.
BNF says:-
"Acute attacks of gout are usually treated with high doses of NSAIDS such as diclofenac, etoricoxib, indometacin, ketoprofen, naproxen or sulindac. Colcichine as an alternative in patietns whom NSAIDs are contraindicated..
Allopurinol, febuxostat and uricosurics are not effective in treating an acute attack and may prolong it indefinately if started during the acute episode."
Should you really be on allopurinol???
Also BNF states Colchicine dose for an acute attack is 500micrograms 2-4 times daily.
Glassman said:
Paul Dishman said:
Glassman said:
Can't say anything has changed much recently (other than an on edge, preggers wifey!). I'm not even sure this is gout but it's pain with an industrial 'P'
Ask your doc if you could increase your allopurinol dose to 300 mg per dayGP said that 100mg was starting high (with a view to reducing the dose after a review)
BTW, I'm NOT a doctor....just have a copy of the BNF, and a just enough knowledge to be dangerous
Glassman said:
Paul Dishman said:
Glassman said:
Can't say anything has changed much recently (other than an on edge, preggers wifey!). I'm not even sure this is gout but it's pain with an industrial 'P'
Ask your doc if you could increase your allopurinol dose to 300 mg per dayGP said that 100mg was starting high (with a view to reducing the dose after a review)
The least to start on would be 300mg, it is not an immediate acting drug but can be best described
in this way; allopurinol Washes the purines out of your body.
For me it took 3 years to complete and have no attacks.
Mark.
Are you on the allopurinol?
I've been on it for 6 months now and have had zero attacks of gout.
I started on 100mg but blood tests showed it was too weak a dose for me so went to 200 and then blood tests showed by uric levels as normal.
If you have not already I really recommend it. Hope your attack is over quickly
I've been on it for 6 months now and have had zero attacks of gout.
I started on 100mg but blood tests showed it was too weak a dose for me so went to 200 and then blood tests showed by uric levels as normal.
If you have not already I really recommend it. Hope your attack is over quickly
garyhun said:
Are you on the allopurinol?
I've been on it for 6 months now and have had zero attacks of gout.
I started on 100mg but blood tests showed it was too weak a dose for me so went to 200 and then blood tests showed by uric levels as normal.
If you have not already I really recommend it. Hope your attack is over quickly
Yes - been on the drug since July 2010. Have been attack free since; one or two twinges along the way but nothing even close to pain. I've been on it for 6 months now and have had zero attacks of gout.
I started on 100mg but blood tests showed it was too weak a dose for me so went to 200 and then blood tests showed by uric levels as normal.
If you have not already I really recommend it. Hope your attack is over quickly
Until last night.
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