Allopurinol is the standard medicine gout sufferers take to relieve pain. This slideshow explains how the drug helps you manage gout pain, the recommended dosage, and optimal ways to take and store it.

1. GOUT &
ALLOPURINOL
ALLOPURINOL:
THE STANDARD FOR GOUT

2. Allopurinol is used to treat gout and certain types of kidney
stones and reduces the amount of uric acid made by the body
in order to prevent a gout attack or flare up rather than treat
gout attacks.
It is the most
common drug
used for long term
gout treatment or
chronic gout,
when surplus uric
acid causes
crystals to form in
the joints, which
then leads to gout.

3. Common allopurinol gout treatment dosage
is usually 300mg a day but prescription
ranges between 50mg to 900mg depending
on the severity.
Recommended Dosage of Allopurinol

4. The medication is taken orally, at
the same time every day and
after a meal to reduce stomach
upset. It is advisable to drink a full
glass of water with each dose and
recommended for the gout
sufferer to at least drink 8 to 12
glasses of water a day unless your
doctor has directed you to drink
less fluids for other medical
reasons.
How to Take Allopurinol

5. At the beginning, allopurinol may increase
the number of gout attacks cause it can take
up to several weeks for this drug to take
effect. You may be asked to take colchicine,
ibuprofen and/or nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help relieve
the pain. The dose of allopurinol starts low
and then gradually increased.

6. Side Effects of Allopurinol
Common side effects of allopurinol
• Stomach upset
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Rash
Rare side effects of allopurinol
• Numbness/tingling of arms/legs
• Itching and/or swelling
• Hypersensitive reactions
• Easy bleeding and/or bruising
• Unusual tiredness
• Blood in urine or pain when
urinating
• Dark urine
• Signs of infection
• Vision changes
• Eye pain
• Loss of appetite
• Breathing problems

7. Store allopurinol at room temperature
between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C)
away from light and moisture and do not store
allopurinol in the bathroom.
How to Store Allopurinol

8. FIND OUT MORE
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF
ALLOPURINOL ON GOUT
CLICK HERE