Question 1

allopurinol - if you take it regularly for gout (say years) , then you have a flare up, should i stop taking it?

Accepted Answer

No: If you're already taking Allopurinol and you get a gout attack, as long as the acute attack is treated you don't need to stop taking allopurinol.  Just don't start Allopurinol during an acute attack.

If you stop taking Allopurinol during an attack, you run the risk of getting a new attack when you restart it again.

Question 2

i've been taking allopurinol for gout for years now. two years ago they upped my mg by 100. now i am taking 200mg daily. i have noticed that my bilirubin is high. last year bilirubin was 1.2 and this year it is 2.0. should i stop allopurinol?

Accepted Answer

: High bilirubin alone is less likely a side effect of allopurinol and dose of 200 mg a day is still a below average dose if you do not have chronic kidney disease. High bilirubin can be due to Gilbert's syndrome. You can have bilirubin rechecked, not fasting. Do not stop allopurinol abruptly due to risk of acute gout attack.

Question 3

i started allopurinol 2 weeks ago and now have a gout attack should i stop and take colchicine or take both together?

Accepted Answer

You can: try both together but if not helping in 24-48 hours stop Allopurinol ..take Colchicine alone for 5-7 days then restart Allopurinol ......hope this is  helpful!

Dr Z

Question 4

taking indomethacin & colchicines for gout, 10 years. doctor recommends allopurinol. says once i start allopurinol, i have to stay on it for life & that i cant stop taking it. is this true?

Accepted Answer

Possible: But diet, weight control, and control of purines in diet may reduce gout and uric acid elevations.
As med students we tested high purine diet and several got transient gout!
if you do the Allopurinol sudden stoppage may be bad form!

Question 5

can i start taking allopurinol during attack?

Accepted Answer

No: Allopurinol should not be started during an acute attack of gout. Colchicine (colcrys), anti-inflammatory medications, or steroids can help reduce the inflammation of an acute attack. After that, it is best to be on prophylactic Colchicine for several weeks before starting Allopurinol which is to lessen/prevent further gout attacks.

Question 6

side effects from taking allopurinol?

Accepted Answer

Allopurinol: Most common is skin rash. May precipitate a gout attack during initiation of therapy.

Question 7

should you start taking allopurinol during gout attack?

Accepted Answer

NO !!: Wait until attack has subsided and slowly add Allopurinol to treatment.This drug mobilizes uric acid (so the kidneys can excrete it) and can bring on or worsen an attack.

Question 8

what are the long-term side effects of taking allopurinol?

Accepted Answer

Favorable: In most cases it is very well tolerated and controls the production of uric acid reducing the frequency of gouty attacks and eliminating urate deposits around joints called tophy.
It can however cause a severe allergic reaction to the point of causing the outer skin to peel off as in severe burn so at first sign of a rash it should be stopped. This is a rare disorder but important to know.

Question 9

i have been taking 25mg of 6mp (together with allopurinol) for years and have just stopped. how long until the meds are out of my system?

Accepted Answer

Should not do this: Allopurinol with 6 MP or AZA are relatively contraindicated because of increased toxicity. Once you stopped the meds, they are out of your system in 2-3 days but effect may linger on

Question 10

how is allopurinol taken?

Accepted Answer

Orally: It is a pill that comes in different strengths. The doctor orders tests to make sure that the Allopurinol is lowering the uric acid in the blood.

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Doctor answers about:

Stop taking allopurinol

A member asked:

Allopurinol - if you take it regularly for gout (say years) , then you have a flare up, should i stop taking it?

A member asked:

I've been taking allopurinol for gout for years now. two years ago they upped my mg by 100. now i am taking 200mg daily. i have noticed that my bilirubin is high. last year bilirubin was 1.2 and this year it is 2.0. should i stop allopurinol?

A member asked:

I started allopurinol 2 weeks ago and now have a gout attack should i stop and take colchicine or take both together?

A member asked:

Taking indomethacin & colchicines for gout, 10 years. doctor recommends allopurinol. says once i start allopurinol, i have to stay on it for life & that i cant stop taking it. is this true?

A member asked:

Can i start taking allopurinol during attack?

A member asked:

Side effects from taking allopurinol?

A member asked:

Should you start taking allopurinol during gout attack?

A member asked:

What are the long-term side effects of taking allopurinol?

A member asked:

I have been taking 25mg of 6mp (together with allopurinol) for years and have just stopped. how long until the meds are out of my system?

A member asked:

How is allopurinol taken?

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