1. Why Does Allopurinol Worsen Acute Gout?
Initially, when the Allopurinol treatment begins, you may experience more gout attacks. During this time, your body removes extra uric acid. Your doctor usually prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or colchicine to treat gout attacks, along with Allopurinol. However, regular use of Allopurinol may reduce the number of gout attacks and prevent damage to the joints.
2. How Does Allopurinol Work?
Gout is a disease caused by excessive production of uric acid in your body, which subsequently results in its deposition in body tissues, especially in the joints and kidneys. Allopurinol works by inhibiting the xanthine oxidase enzyme, an enzyme responsible for the production of uric acid in your body. As a result, uric acid levels decrease in blood and urine after regular use of Allopurinol.
3. Can Allopurinol Cause Depression?
No, Allopurinol does not cause depression. Instead, it has antidepressant properties. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that may increase the levels of serotonin in your body. Lower levels of serotonin can cause depression. Further, the serotonin hormone plays a critical role in your feelings of well-being and happiness and helps stabilize your mood.
4. Can You Take Colchicine and Allopurinol Together?
Yes, you can take Allopurinol and colchicine together. Allopurinol is used for the treatment of gout. However, during the first few months of the therapy, it may increase the number of gout attacks. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe colchicine to prevent gout flare-ups and NSAIDs along with Allopurinol to relieve pain.
5. Does Allopurinol Cause Weight Gain?
Allopurinol causes weight loss rather than weight gain. Further, patients who take this medicine tend to report nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Stomach upset, diarrhea, and skin rashes are the other possible side effects of Allopurinol. You can reach out to our experts for advice on the use of Allopurinol and other drugs for treating gout.
6. What Does Allopurinol Look Like?
Allopurinol is available in tablet form in the market, manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies under various brand names. It is available in dosages of 100 mg and 300 mg in oral tablets. Various dosages of the pills can be identified by their shape, color, and imprint. However, this medicine should be taken as prescribed by your doctor.
7. What Is Allopurinol Prescribed For?
Allopurinol is prescribed for the treatment of gout and kidney stones. It lowers the levels of uric acid in serum and urine. Some cancer medications also increase the levels of uric acid in your body. Thus, Allopurinol is also prescribed with cancer medications to help reduce uric acid levels in the body.
8. When To Take Allopurinol?
You should take Allopurinol under the guidance of your doctor. Treatment with Allopurinol is started in low doses (100 mg for adults) once daily. However, your doctor may gradually increase it. If it is more than 300 mg, your doctor may tell you to take it in two or three divisions after meals.
9. Does Allopurinol Raise Blood Pressure?
No, Allopurinol is effective in reducing high blood pressure. High uric acid levels are associated with hypertension (high blood pressure). Allopurinol causes a mild but significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressure. Further, you can get expert recommendations on the use of Allopurinol from our medical consultants.
10. Is Allopurinol an NSAID?
Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor indicated for treating gout, a painful inflammatory disease of joints characterized by increased uric acid levels. Allopurinol reduces uric acid levels in the blood, and it is not a pain killer or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). It is prescribed along with NSAIDs to relieve pain associated with gout.
Our medical experts at Yashoda Hospitals can answer all your concerns. Get a medical opinion by reaching out to us today!
