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Can Allopurinol Be Taken For Treatment Of Gout?
Question: my doc just prescibed me allopurinol 300mg
i am a little concerned about the warnings of early use flare ups of gout since I have not had any symptoms in 8-10 months
i am a little concerned about the warnings of early use flare ups of gout since I have not had any symptoms in 8-10 months
Brief Answer:
What was your uric acid levels?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this gout that you have. I will like to know the reasons for which you were started on allopurinol. What was your uric acid levels if they were checked and what was the justification of this new treatment?
This drug is often administered to control repeated outbreaks of gout attacks. High uric acid levels alone do not even justify the initiation of treatment without symptoms. I will like to know what the reasons were.
Flare ups are real but, would be of less concern to someone who has recurrent bouts of attacks because he knows that he would be a lot better in the days ahead. Your concerns are genuine because you clearly have a more or less stable health state. Would like to know what the reasons for this drug were.
In all, I am worried and have not found real justifications from the information you have provided about the initiation of this drug. Ask your doctor and let me know. If the reasons far exceed the risk of a flare up, then we shall strongly consider to initiate this treatment.
I hope you find this useful. I would gladly respond to any further inquiries should you have any. Thanks for patronizing our services. We very appreciate this.
What was your uric acid levels?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this gout that you have. I will like to know the reasons for which you were started on allopurinol. What was your uric acid levels if they were checked and what was the justification of this new treatment?
This drug is often administered to control repeated outbreaks of gout attacks. High uric acid levels alone do not even justify the initiation of treatment without symptoms. I will like to know what the reasons were.
Flare ups are real but, would be of less concern to someone who has recurrent bouts of attacks because he knows that he would be a lot better in the days ahead. Your concerns are genuine because you clearly have a more or less stable health state. Would like to know what the reasons for this drug were.
In all, I am worried and have not found real justifications from the information you have provided about the initiation of this drug. Ask your doctor and let me know. If the reasons far exceed the risk of a flare up, then we shall strongly consider to initiate this treatment.
I hope you find this useful. I would gladly respond to any further inquiries should you have any. Thanks for patronizing our services. We very appreciate this.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
thank you for your response. I had asked my doctor to check my blood levels because I have had random acute flareups in the past. Although the last one was about 8-10 months ago. I told him that it was on and off all my adult life. And did not go away with the absence of alcohol consumption. The blood test show my uric acid levels high (although I dont remember the number) He felt that reoccurring gout causes potential joint damage and should be avoided. So all good reasons.
I am just concerned about taking the 300 MG and it causing a flareup, because from what I read, it takes a while to stabilize on this stuff. And some posts have said to start with 100MG and build up. Also there is skin rash indication in some.
I am just looking for a second opinion. Again he said the Uric Acid was high and I dont remember the exact scale but I do remember if the normal high range was like a 6 then I was an 8. Does that help? or should I get the exact reading. Dont want to alarm my GP by asking for the charts unless I really need to.
Thanks
XXXX
I am just concerned about taking the 300 MG and it causing a flareup, because from what I read, it takes a while to stabilize on this stuff. And some posts have said to start with 100MG and build up. Also there is skin rash indication in some.
I am just looking for a second opinion. Again he said the Uric Acid was high and I dont remember the exact scale but I do remember if the normal high range was like a 6 then I was an 8. Does that help? or should I get the exact reading. Dont want to alarm my GP by asking for the charts unless I really need to.
Thanks
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Why not wait for the next symptosm before starting
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up information.
All the side effects you have listed are real and of concern. hat justifies the use of medications is not the fact that they are entirely safe but rather because they would do more good than harm.
It has been 8months that you have not had an symptoms. If I were your treating physician, I will not want to start this drugs after such a long time without symptoms but anticipate to start should symptoms set in.
Like I mentioned before, high uric acid alone cannot justify the use of these drugs. It should be accompanied by symptoms and that is what I find lacking at this time.
In all, I recommend drugs should be withheld and initiated with next flare up. Right now, I think it is a good decision but somewhat too early and not entirely justified. It is not the next flare that would cause joint damage beyond imagined degrees.
I hope it provides enough information for you to act on. Feel free to ask for more information should need be. happy chatting and exchanging ideas with you.
Why not wait for the next symptosm before starting
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up information.
All the side effects you have listed are real and of concern. hat justifies the use of medications is not the fact that they are entirely safe but rather because they would do more good than harm.
It has been 8months that you have not had an symptoms. If I were your treating physician, I will not want to start this drugs after such a long time without symptoms but anticipate to start should symptoms set in.
Like I mentioned before, high uric acid alone cannot justify the use of these drugs. It should be accompanied by symptoms and that is what I find lacking at this time.
In all, I recommend drugs should be withheld and initiated with next flare up. Right now, I think it is a good decision but somewhat too early and not entirely justified. It is not the next flare that would cause joint damage beyond imagined degrees.
I hope it provides enough information for you to act on. Feel free to ask for more information should need be. happy chatting and exchanging ideas with you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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