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What Is The Dosage Of Allopurinol For Gout Attacks?
Question: For over 25 years Allopurinol has pretty well prevented gout attacks..Since January I am having gout attacks monthly. Switching from 100 mg to 300 seems to have made things worse. Any suggestions? I do switch to Colcrys when attacks start.
Brief Answer:
dose alteration done in you is less likely to increase the frequency of attack
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.
I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.
Any medication or intervention that either increases or decreases the uric acid level in the bloodstream can trigger a gout attack.
Colcrys is used during initial therapy with a uric-acid-lowering medication to either prevent gout flares or decrease the number and severity of flares.
To my knowledge, the dose alteration that it's made in you is less likely to trigger an attack, changes in the blood will not be dramatic.
I would have advised you to continue with the present dose till next follow up and also keep a count of attack. Based on examination and history, decision on dosage adjustment would been considered in next visit.
Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.
Sincerely,
dose alteration done in you is less likely to increase the frequency of attack
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.
I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.
Any medication or intervention that either increases or decreases the uric acid level in the bloodstream can trigger a gout attack.
Colcrys is used during initial therapy with a uric-acid-lowering medication to either prevent gout flares or decrease the number and severity of flares.
To my knowledge, the dose alteration that it's made in you is less likely to trigger an attack, changes in the blood will not be dramatic.
I would have advised you to continue with the present dose till next follow up and also keep a count of attack. Based on examination and history, decision on dosage adjustment would been considered in next visit.
Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.
Sincerely,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Unfortunately, your answer is of no help. I have had gout problems for 40 years. I know too much about uric acid and have been delighted that since discovering Allopurinol 25 years ago, I have been able to eat (and drink a modest amount of alcohol daily) like a normal person. Now, all of a sudden since April, my big toe swells up, turns bright red, and hurts. A lot. Colcrys now seems to take weeks before my big toe is normal. When I'm taking Colcrys, I am very careful to avoid uric acid causing foods. And I stop all alcohol. So I suspect that time and diet, NOT the Colcrys, is what cures me. Thanks for listening.
Brief Answer:
Dosage adjustment is less likely to be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry you did not find my previous answer helpful. Let me clarify my statements.
Anything that raises or lowers the uric acid level can cause a gout flare by causing uric acid crystals to deposit in a joint. However since you are allopurinol since years, clinically I do not think that dose increment has anything to do with the current gout flare up.
I understand you meant while on allopurinol for years you were able to eat and drink normally like others. But during acute attacks, you need to minimize uric acid increasing substances for better inflammation control. Therefore yes, dietary modification is important while on colchine (colcyrs). I don't think that means colcyrs is ineffective.
At this point, I don't feel dose change was the cause of flare ups, though it looks obvious. We need to investigate further. With the limitations involved, my opinion is limited too. And I look forwards for more details which perhaps may be obtained only after the appointment.
Until you visit the doctor, my only suggestion is to keep up with dietary regulations. Drinking beer and liquor increase the risk of attack. Others like dehydration, obesity can also be risk factor. You may add other antiinflammatory agents available over the counter to improve effects of colycrs.
Hope this has helped you in some way.
Wish you good health.
Dosage adjustment is less likely to be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry you did not find my previous answer helpful. Let me clarify my statements.
Anything that raises or lowers the uric acid level can cause a gout flare by causing uric acid crystals to deposit in a joint. However since you are allopurinol since years, clinically I do not think that dose increment has anything to do with the current gout flare up.
I understand you meant while on allopurinol for years you were able to eat and drink normally like others. But during acute attacks, you need to minimize uric acid increasing substances for better inflammation control. Therefore yes, dietary modification is important while on colchine (colcyrs). I don't think that means colcyrs is ineffective.
At this point, I don't feel dose change was the cause of flare ups, though it looks obvious. We need to investigate further. With the limitations involved, my opinion is limited too. And I look forwards for more details which perhaps may be obtained only after the appointment.
Until you visit the doctor, my only suggestion is to keep up with dietary regulations. Drinking beer and liquor increase the risk of attack. Others like dehydration, obesity can also be risk factor. You may add other antiinflammatory agents available over the counter to improve effects of colycrs.
Hope this has helped you in some way.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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