Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Itchy Skin And Facial Acne After Taking Allopurinol?
Question: I have been taking allopurinol for gout. Have not had an attack in years. However, I now begin to get itchy skin and facial acne. What are my options? Reduce dosage of allopurinol, cease completely or apply benzoyl peroxide?
If I cease allopurinol I may get a gout attack -- perhaps a rare occurrence. In which case I can use colchicine to dissolve it??
Thanks, XXXXXXX
If I cease allopurinol I may get a gout attack -- perhaps a rare occurrence. In which case I can use colchicine to dissolve it??
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
okay to stop allopurinol
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is okay to stop the allopurinol and see if you get a gout attack. Just make sure you have plenty of colchicine to start taking at the first sign of an attack. You may not get an attack and that would be great.
Make sure you are on a low purine diet and not drinking alcohol at all. There are many low purine diets but here is a good one to start with
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/food-nutrition/weight-loss/low-purine-diet.html
You are on a very low dose of allopurinol so it is very possible that you can get by without it. After you have been off it for 6-8 weeks you may want to ask your doctor to check a uric acid level. If it has gotten very high then you may want to consider starting back on the allopurinol.
Good luck and let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
okay to stop allopurinol
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is okay to stop the allopurinol and see if you get a gout attack. Just make sure you have plenty of colchicine to start taking at the first sign of an attack. You may not get an attack and that would be great.
Make sure you are on a low purine diet and not drinking alcohol at all. There are many low purine diets but here is a good one to start with
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/food-nutrition/weight-loss/low-purine-diet.html
You are on a very low dose of allopurinol so it is very possible that you can get by without it. After you have been off it for 6-8 weeks you may want to ask your doctor to check a uric acid level. If it has gotten very high then you may want to consider starting back on the allopurinol.
Good luck and let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
